Annual Survey Shows Shift Towards Sustainable Commuting in UK
London, UK – The results of the annual Commuter Census survey, which gathers data on the commuting habits of UK workers, have just been released. With over 10,000 responses, this year’s survey has recorded a significant decrease in the number of workers who commute via single occupancy vehicles (SOVs).
According to the findings, only 38% of respondents now travel to work in a petrol or diesel SOV, and less than half (45%) commute by any form of SOV, including hybrid and electric vehicles. This marks the smallest share of SOV commuters since the survey began four years ago.
The survey is conducted by Mobilityways, a climate tech organisation and social enterprise dedicated to making zero-carbon commuting a reality. The company’s products and consultancy services help employers measure, reduce, and report their commuter emissions.
Founder Ali Clabburn recently spoke about the results on BBC Radio 4, saying, “We’ve seen the biggest increase in car sharing in the last year that we’ve ever seen. It’s up 22%, which is huge.”
He attributed this shift in driving habits to the rising cost of driving alone, which has made it more prohibitive for many workers. As a result, more people are turning to alternative modes of transport, such as carpooling and taking the bus.
The survey also revealed that 15% of employees now carpool to work, a return to pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, six in ten people said they would consider carpooling or using an electric vehicle as an alternative to their current commute.
The bus was the second most popular alternative, with 43% of respondents saying they would consider taking the bus or an electric bus to work. This is a 17% increase from last year, which could be attributed to the £2 bus fare cap in many parts of the country.
According to the survey, there is also a growing desire among commuters for more support from their employers to help decarbonise their commute. Over half of the respondents said they would like more assistance in commuting sustainably, putting the responsibility on larger organisations to make sustainable options more accessible for their employees.
Julie Furnell, Managing Director of Mobilityways, stated, “In the past year, we have seen Government initiatives that have illustrated the impact of policy on commuter choices. The results highlight areas where further intervention is necessary to encourage sustainable options.”
The survey also shed light on the changed attitude towards hybrid working, with only 26% of respondents saying they would consider working from home as an alternative to their current mode of commuting – a 42% decrease from last year.
Despite this, the return to the office continues at a rapid pace, with 41% of employees now required to be on-site every day. The full Commuter Census report, including commuting mode changes, work travel patterns, and attitudes towards commuting methods, can be found here.
