Partner Article

Transport costs cause Yorkshire commuters to curb lifestyle

Beleaguered commuters across the UK are making lifestyle changes to fund spiralling transport costs, with 50% of Yorkshire and Humber commuters cutting back on essentials to be able to fund the travel costs.

That’s according to a new consumer survey from advisors, PwC.

PwC’s Voice of the Consumer (VoC) survey, published this week, found that 51% of full-time workers in Yorkshire have experienced increased travel-to-work costs over the past year with 30% telling researchers their travel costs had increased, ‘a great deal’.

Across the UK, around half of those in full-time employment said that had cut back on living essentials and luxuries to fund their rising travel expenditure.

And despite the North having the lowest travel costs amongst the eight UK regions, with annual travel costs averaging £1,009 compared to the South East (£1,422) and the Midlands (£1,376), 54% of the Yorkshire and Humber commuters have reduced socialising and going to the pub to fund travel. And 62% have cut back on eating out to afford commuter costs.

Commenting on the survey findings, Iain Hill, PwC partner in the transport and logistics team in Leeds said: “The findings of our research have highlighted that in this era of austerity, many people are having to make difficult choices across their essential spend and lifestyle choices.

“In Yorkshire and Humber this has particularly impacted spend on leisure activities and groceries. It has also affected the number of people who are saving for long term investments, such as buying a house, with 27% or respondents sacrificing saving to afford commuter costs. “

The survey also examined people’s preferred transport modes for commuting, leisure and personal use across the country which will be released later this month, with analysis of how employers can help employees reduce commuter costs through tax breaks and other incentives.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mark Lane .