New research from Trainline Partner Solutions, the business-to-business division of Trainline, reveals that over three-quarters of UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) plan to increase both domestic travel volumes (76%) and business travel budgets (79%) in 2025. The findings come from a survey of business travel decision-makers, highlighting a growing trend in corporate travel.
The study shows that business travel among UK SMBs is steadily increasing. In 2024, 74% of respondents reported higher travel volumes compared to 2023. Alongside this growth, SMBs are placing greater emphasis on sustainability in their travel policies. A third (33%) of decision-makers identified rail travel as a key strategy to reduce their carbon footprint.
Notably, 87% of UK SMBs now have specific targets to cut emissions from business travel, a significant rise from just 52% in January 2024, when Trainline Partner Solutions last conducted the survey. Additionally, 85% of businesses have implemented policies and financial incentives to encourage the use of lower-carbon travel options.
While UK SMBs are not directly affected by regulations like the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the evolving regulatory landscape is shaping their strategies. For 34% of SMBs, these regulations are the primary driver behind their adoption of policies supporting greener travel.
The research also found that 89% of businesses working with Travel Management Companies (TMCs) consider emissions data provided by their TMCs essential for managing travel-related carbon emissions.
Andrew Cruttenden, General Manager at Trainline Partner Solutions, commented: “The expected rise in business travel volumes and spending among UK small businesses is a positive sign for the sector. With nine out of ten businesses now committed to reducing travel emissions, it’s crucial to support employees in choosing lower-carbon options like rail.”
He added: “Rail travel has a clear sustainability advantage over flying and driving. It’s up to the rail and business travel industries to make train travel the easiest and most natural choice. At Trainline Partner Solutions, we’re working on tech solutions to help make this a reality.”
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