The cost of getting to the office for UK commuters is continuing to rise faster than either wages or inflation.
In October 2012, it was calculated that commuters residing roughly an hour from London would need to be travelling into work for a total of 81 years for their rail costs to wipe out the difference in house prices. For those working in the capital in particular, the commuter dilemma is probably the most prevalent lifestyle equation: balancing house prices with the time and cost of commuting.
For many, the cost of accessing the office on a daily basis is a pricey toss-up between shelling out on a property or regular hefty payments towards a railcard or petrol.
Cut the Cost
Most commuters will already be aware that season ticket offerings from the rail networks can offer significant savings. A good tip is to shop around, as there are some great ticketing services available, such as Oyster for Greater London and System One for the Manchester traveller.
If you have a car and know people who live in a similar area, consider sharing your journey with your colleagues. The cost of running a vehicle from insurance to maintenance, soon mounts up. If you take other people to work, they may be able to help you at least cover off some of the costs in return for you saving them time and train fare.
When driving, try to keep a steady speed. Driving over 75mph, rapidly accelerating and slamming on the brakes eats away at a car’s fuel efficiency. It pays to keep an eye on your tyres, too, as flats also increase fuel consumption.
Finally, if you feel like you can, save money by travelling less. Consider approaching your boss to let you work from home once a week, or negotiate a longer weekend in return for extended workdays the other four days of the week.
Consider the Environment
Contrary to areas in the south of the country, workers in Manchester generally pay more for the roof over their head if they live outside the city centre. Popular commuter traps include the leafy areas of Sale and Altrincham, whilst Wilmslow, with its smattering of celebrity residents, attracts the more high-end traveller.
In this instance, it may actually be more financially beneficial to reside in the city and plump for a more environmentally-friendly commute.
For businesses that buy into green bike schemes, such as OnYourBike and Bike2Work, employees can get a top-of-the-range bicycle plus accessories at a significantly reduced price.
Alternatively, save petrol by making use of the rapidly expending inner-city transport networks. Aside from London’s Underground, many cities have established their own networks, such as Manchester’s Metrolink.
If you are looking for new office space anywhere in the UK, contact the experts at Official Space.
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