Commuters Say ‘No’ to Monday Morning Travel
Beating the Monday blues is set to get easier in the post-pandemic world, as Huq’s latest insight into commuter patterns reveals a significant shift away from travel at the start of the week.
Last week we looked at peak travel times on TFL’s Greater London network and how tends towards the evenings – with little apparent morning rush hour. Today Huq’s high-frequency mobility data shows how ‘hybrid’ working could impact businesses trading off the commute economy throughout the week.
Historic data shows that Friday has always been one of the busiest days for travel. Pre-pandemic, the number of trips made on Fridays was 13pts higher than Mondays. However, data from recent months shows how the difference between Mondays and Fridays has become far greater. The end of the week is 42pts (almost 50%) busier than the start. That’s an overall change in profile of 223%.
Bulletin Signup
Get regular, data-driven news on how our world is changing - free!
Despite Fridays now showing proportionately more traffic than prior, it’s important to note that overall journeys are still well below 2019 levels. Rail usage remains around 45% of pre-pandemic levels according to the ORR.
The overall drop in passenger numbers – attributed to working from home – means that leisure trips now make Saturday’s numbers level with Tuesday and almost 20pts higher than Monday. That’s a marked contrast to pre-pandemic patterns. Sunday remains the day of the week with the least amount of trips.
While numbers remain low and the future shape of commuting will take time to emerge, this data offers early clues as to what the new working world looks like. The queue for your Monday morning coffee may remain a little shorter.
Sign up now for more regular data-driven news and speak to our expert team to discuss your specific measurement requirements.
Discover realtime, global mobility data
Huq Industries publishes data across themes derived from its first-party mobility data. Our verified and compliant data helps professionals in financial services, real-estate, and public sector and CPG make more effective choices.
Related Stories
We’re Hiring! Huq is Looking For a Content Executive
Huq is hiring a Content Executive to join our team. As a Content Executive at Huq, you will be in a unique position to draw on our rich, real-time data to tie into the news agenda and produce…
In Today’s Financial Times: Mobility Data Reveals Extent of UK’s Run on Fuel
The Financial Times today features data from Huq Industries showing the extent to which UK motorists flocked to filling station forecourts in the wake of a warning by BP on September 23rd over driver…
Seaside and Coastal Regeneration: Seasonal Swings in Seaside Towns
We are delighted to have sponsored today’s The Seaside and Coastal Regeneration Conference 2021, chaired by Professor Sheela Agarwal and featuring contributions from Sally-Ann Hart MP, Chair,…
London Mobility Lags England by 35%
Londoners are staying closer to home than residents of other towns and cities as the country counts on a post-Covid recovery. Since the depths of lockdown England during January 2021, Huq’s measure…
Andover Advertiser – Study: Just 1 in 7 London-Andover Commuters Return to Office
Andover residents have got used to home working, a study suggests, as new research indicates most commuters have put down their briefcases for now. Research from Huq Industries, a firm which…
London’s Commute Recovery Polarised Across Home Counties
Can we expect a rush back to the office as UK restrictions lift on July 19th? In recent weeks Huq has studied the return of the commute through a range of lenses.
Witham & Braintree Times – Witham Commuters Return to London in Their Masses as Lockdown Rules Relax
Residents in Witham are among those who are commuting more since lockdown eased. New research revealed Witham has seen one of the biggest jumpers in the number of commuters returning to Central…
West Sussex County Times – Commuters in Horsham Lead the Charge Back to Central London
Since March when lockdown restrictions first began to ease the number of people travelling from the town to the City of London and Holborn has increased by 234 per cent.
Reading Chronicle – Number of Commuters from Reading to London DOUBLE, Data Shows
THE number of Reading residents commuting to London has spiked by more than 200%, the latest statistics have revealed. Data researchers Huq Industries revealed the data last month, showing that…