HOW WILL UK COMMUTING BEHAVIOUR CHANGE OVER NEXT THREE YEARS?

As employees across the UK are to set to embark on their return to the workplace following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in July, new research from Kura into attitudes and behaviours of 2,000 UK workers reveals that many commuters are reluctant to return to the office in the coming months, mainly due to increased concern over infection control and social distancing on the daily commute.

MAJORITY OF COMMUTERS PLAN TO RETURN TO THE OFFICE POST LOCKDOWN

Four fifths of workers plan to either return to the office on a full time (42.1%) or hybrid basis (39%), whereas nearly a fifth (19.1%) of workers plan to never commute again post pandemic, with regional variations from 10.8% in London to 29.1% in Wales.

OVER HALF COMMUTERS RETURNING TO THE OFFICE WILL DO SO BY CAR

Of those returning to the office, 51% will do so via petrol or diesel car, plus another 7% via electric car. This supports the finding that 14.9% commuters anticipate a spike in car usage post lockdown due to infection concerns.

NEARLY THREE FIFTHS OF WORKERS HAVE CONCERNS AROUND THEIR COMMUTE THIS SUMMER

The reluctance to return to the office stems largely from the travel to and from work, with nearly 60% of workers across the UK admitting that they hold real concerns around the commute post lockdown. Kura’s research uncovered that the key root to commuters’ concerns post lockdown is infection control and lack of social distancing on public transport.

THERE IS NOW A MAJOR OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE COMMUTING FOR THE BETTER

The key insight from Kura’s report is that many employees now feel that their employer should be supporting them on their daily commute as part of their responsibility towards maximising their health and wellbeing. Most employers understand this and are keen “to do the right thing” but need guidance on how to achieve this.

Kura’s report provides some ideas on how businesses can adapt to the new commuting normal. To download a copy, click here