Public transport no match for the company car

A totally inadequate public transport system means that the majority of businesses travellers still rely on their car.

According to a new study by the Royal Automobile Club Foundation and the British Chambers of Commerce, 94% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) use the road for their business travel.

Whilst one in five businesses have taken steps to increase their use of public transport, unreliability and unpredictable travel times are the main barriers to increased business use of buses and trains.

Despite their preference for road travel over other forms of transport, 86% of those businesses quizzed said they thought road congestion affects their business locally, regionally and nationally.

In fact, the average business traveller wastes eleven days a year stuck in congestion.

The report, entitled Business Travel: Choice or Necessity, goes on to call for action to tackle congestion whilst recognising the fact that the car remains the dominant means for business travel, offering privacy, flexibility, and a door-to-door service.

Commenting on the research, RAC Foundation executive director, Edmund King, said that while business travel can be reduced and made greener through smarter vehicle and mode choice, it cannot be done away with entirely.