Enforcing rail bookings in place of short-haul flights can help lower travel emissions: BCD Travel
Based on a survey of 681 business travellers in Europe and Asia Pacific who took at least one business trip by train in the past 12 months, BCD reveals that two-thirds of travellers prefer rail over other modes of transportation.
In a press statement, BCD Travel states that although both train and air travel are viable options due to similar cost and duration, many travellers prefer rail for reasons such as the central location of train stations, convenience and the ability to work while travelling and environmental concerns. Additionally, six in 10 respondents expect to take the same number of train journeys this year, while 18 pc travellers anticipate an increase.
Olivia Ruggles-Brise
“Taking the train as opposed to flying can reduce carbon emissions of a journey by as much as 95 pc. It is encouraging to see that travellers are starting to build this into their decision-making process. We’re delighted that through the new and expanding rail functionality in TripSource, BCD is able to facilitate this decision-making and support the continued expansion of sustainable choices when it comes to corporate travel,” says Olivia Ruggles-Brise, Vice President, Sustainability, BCD.
It adds that a third of travellers report their employers encourage rail travel over flights for short distances, but only 6 pc say their employers enforce such a policy, as the majority either have no policy or are unaware of one.
“Enforcing rail bookings in place of short-haul flights can help lower travel emissions. However, travellers must be aware of such policy changes in order to make an impact, which is why communicating with your travellers is so important. They need to understand when it is appropriate to book rail instead of a flight and how to do that within the travel policy. Communicate across multiple channels, the company intranet, direct emails and targeted messaging directly in the online booking tool,” adds Brise.
BCD Travel states that more than half of respondents book rail tickets directly through rail providers, while one-third use the corporate online booking tool (OBT). To integrate rail booking more effectively, the Dutch company is developing its TripSource platform, as most rail trips are paid for using corporate credit cards, while a third of travellers use personal cards and claim reimbursement.
Also Read: Amsterdam & New York top destinations for European business travellers: BCD Travel
In the statement, the Dutch travel management company states that around 70 pc of business travellers use onboard Wi-Fi and power outlets when travelling by rail. More than 80 pc work during the journey, while half use the time to rest. Additonally four in 10 read and travellers utlilise entertainment services infrequently.
BCD Travel states that half of the respondents are satisfied with their company’s rail travel policy. One in seven say their employer offers corporate rates for rail, while half are allowed to book business class on trains under certain conditions. However, respondents face several policy-related challenges, including unclear guidelines and inconvenient booking and payment processes.
The travel management company reports that satisfaction with rail suppliers is mixed: while more than half of respondents are satisfied, nearly one-quarter express low satisfaction, as travellers commonly face issues such as delays and strikes, overcrowding, limited connectivity and high prices. Additionally, three-quarters of travellers experience delays and half experience cancellations.
Also Read: Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong dominate APAC business travel rankings: BCD Travel
Yannis Karmis
“While rail remains a preferred mode of travel for many business travellers, ongoing challenges like reliability, overcrowding, and limited connectivity continue to impact satisfaction. At BCD, we are focussed on working closely with rail suppliers and technology partners to improve the traveller experience – from streamlining booking options to ensuring better visibility into disruptions. Our goal is to empower travellers with more resilient, connected, and comfortable rail journeys that align with both business needs and sustainability objectives,” says Yannis Karmis, SVP, Product & Development, BCD.
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