Most small businesses use the car for operational purposes during the day.
Public transport is described as not ‘fit for purpose’.
The findings, from the Royal Automobile Club Foundation and the British Chambers of Commerce, are published in a new report: “Business Travel: Choice or Necessity”.
The report focuses on journeys made during the business day. Rather than commuting travel.
The study found that business travel is crucial to success. While it can be reduced, it cannot be eliminated without economic consequences.
The report found that:
- 94% of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) use the road for business travel
- 82% say the car is central to their business operations
- 70% say that public transport, in its present form, is not fit for purpose
But…
- 86% of businesses find road congestion affects their business locally, regionally and nationally
- Business travellers waste 11 days a year stuck in congestion
- As a nation we are travelling 20% further for business than we did 13 years ago
However, the report does say that small businesses are embracing green travel policies.
Over half use technology to reduce their travel footprint: 50% use telephone conferencing; 30% use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Instant Messaging.
One in five businesses have taken steps to increase their use of public transport. Trains were considered a viable business travel option for certain journeys.
The report proposes a package of measures to tackle unnecessary business travel, and calls on national and local government to show more flexibility in supporting green business travel pioneers.
Frank Reynolds, small business specialist, National Car Rental, proposes daily rental as another method to greener and more flexible transport provision. It provides car use but only when required.
He says: “The sheer flexibility of daily rental makes it a viable prospect for businesses who needs to get staff out on the road – and it gives them the certainty they need that employees are travelling in safe and reliable vehicles.”
Further information
- “Business Travel: Choice or Necessity?” is available from www.racfoundation.org or www.chamberonline.co.uk
- See our Special Report Business travel fact file
- Go to our Downloads section for a free Advice Centre factsheet on How to reduce your environmental impact
But small businesses embrace greener travel strategies
