Highlights

• Rail journeys produce less carbon compared to cars on most routes.
• New data on over 80,000 rail business journeys shows the environmental benefits of train travel.
• Businesses can now easily compare carbon emissions for rail, car, and plane journeys.
• The rail industry provides accurate carbon data to encourage sustainable travel.

New data shows that taking the train for business trips is better for the environment than driving.

In fact, on nearly 94% of over 80,000 rail journeys analysed, carbon emissions were lower compared to using a petrol or diesel car. The information is available on the Rail Data Marketplace for over 40,000 routes across Britain.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) encourages businesses to use this data to make more sustainable travel choices. By signing up, companies can access carbon emission information for specific journeys when booking through travel management companies or online booking. This helps easy comparisons between train, car, and plane travel.

Previous research has already shown that rail travel is greener and often cheaper than other transport options. The latest data supports this statement and provides more detailed information for businesses to make decisions.

To celebrate the growing use of rail for business travel, the RDG recognises businesses that commit to using the data and setting environmental goals. World Car Free Day on September 22nd will highlight the impact of these efforts.

The rail industry has worked hard to develop accurate and reliable carbon emission data. By combining information on train occupancy, fuel type, and journey distance, they have created a valuable resource for promoting sustainable travel.

Jacqueline Starr, Rail Delivery Group’s chief executive said: “We all have a responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint, so having our Green Travel Pledge data available through global and domestic travel management companies (TMCs) and online booking tools (OBTs) will enable more businesses to choose rail over other modes for business travel.

“We’re asking businesses to kickstart a movement towards more sustainable travel, with data on over 40,000 business routes available, and we’d like businesses to showcase their commitment to sustainability by using our industry-leading carbon data to make better and informed business travel decisions.”

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Source: Rail Delivery Group