Back in January I requested a specialist CCTV download relating to a potentially rather serious train door incident. It’s only just arrived, as the contractor concerned has only just returned to work as of this week.
The company can't adapt, and uses covid as an opportunity for excuses. If the unit needs a physical visit then you don't need an office. If the unit does not require a physical visit then you do not need an office.
"returned to work" suggests they were furloughed rather than working.
I do, however, think that many will change their mind after a few months. Principally due to road congestion, which I predict will be back to pre Covid levels pretty quickly.
Perhaps. Car technology is continuously improving - maps -> satnav -> adaptive satnav, parking sensors -> cameras -> autopark, cruise control -> adaptive cruise control -> autopilot, radio -> cd -> bluetooth, window -> aircon -> climate control
I can't even charge my phone on a typical intercity train.
The distress purchase edge the railway has (people travel by train because the alternatives are worse) is always being eroded.
business is investing in a good number of high spec company cars
If you have people needing to travel to many different locations, especially taking equipment, then yes, the train is rarely useful. If it's for occasional trips though, why not simply hire a car?
I'd be surprised if occasional business journeys are replaced by permament company cars, that seems non-sensical. Sure, having enterprise drop a car off for me outside my front door the night before heading to Sheffield for a morning task then Nottingham for the afternoon, then evening function in Birmingham, down to Worcester the next morning and home on the evening sure beats
taxi to the station
a train
another train
taxi to the buisness park
taxi to the station
train
20 minute walk to office
20 minute walk back from office
train
10 minutes to hotel
overnight
10 minutes to train
train
taxi
office
taxi
train
train
train
taxi
Covid doesn't change that calculation though. The railway is not good for multi-point journeys, it's not economical for flexible journeys (if it is at all), but it does work for travelling to limited locations in major cities and very long distance (I wouldn't drive to Glasgow for business when I could get the train from Crewe)