SW commuters resent their journeys
Nearly half (48 per cent) of commuters in the South West say that they resent the commute and 44 per cent are actively looking for a job where they don’t have to commute – more than anywhere else in the UK - according to a new survey.
A nationwide poll of public transport commuters, commissioned by bitesize reading app Joosr (www.joosr.com), found that commuters in the South West experienced lower satisfaction levels than in most other parts of the country and many did not have enough time to do other things.
Heavily delayed and cancelled services are taking their toll on the personal lives of commuters in the South West with nearly half (48 per cent) saying that they don’t have enough time to spend with their family – higher than anywhere else in the UK.
The survey asked commuters in the South West what they don’t have time for:
• Nearly a third (32 per cent) don’t have enough time to spend with friends - more than anywhere else in the UK
• 1 in 5 are unable to find the time to cook property
• 1 in 5 don’t have the time to help their kids with their homework
• Just 4 per cent said that they had time to do everything that they wanted to – half the national average
Although many saw the commute as a negative, some were more upbeat. 4 in 10 of workers in the South West said it offered them precious ‘me time’ (higher than elsewhere in the UK) and the region also had the highest levels of book lovers in the UK, with 72 per cent saying that they had time to read.
Founder and CEO of Joosr, Dr Darren Boyd-Annells commented: “While commuting gives people the chance to pursue a fulfilling career and enjoy lower house prices and good schools outside the major cities, it’s clear that a significant number feel the sacrifice is too great.”
He added: “These findings show that there is a real polarisation between those that resent their commute and those that use the time to enhance their lives or progress their career.
“Rather than resent the time spent travelling, I’d advise my fellow commuters to use the time constructively. If you can develop your leadership skills on the way to work, you might just get that promotion or a job closer to home!”
Commuters can sign up for a free trial of Joosr – a new service which provides non-fiction book summaries that can be read in just 20 minutes. The subscription-based app offers top quality bitesize reads of the world’s most influential business and personal development books, perfect for all those book lovers in the South West.
