Crowded trains : One of the many reasons why WFH needs to stay

GeneralApril 21, 2022 09:05

 

A study conducted by NTU reported that people are more likely to want to return to their workplaces rather than work from home if MRT trains are less crowded and journey times are shorter.

Specifically, the study found that crowded trains accounted for 12.8 percent of an employee’s decision to work from home or the office, and travel time accounted for 10.7 percent. The median traveling time by MRT was 45 minutes, a 12.5 percent increase from 40 minutes a decade earlier. This study identified the two factors as most likely to change with increasing decentralisation–moving business and economic activities away from city centers. 

"It would make sense that commuters who live far from their workplaces would generally prefer to work from home, but through our study, we managed to identify that traveling in comfort - be it having a seat or ample place to stand in a train - was more important to the everyday commuter." said one of the researchers. Such a finding was especially relevant given "the trend in urban planning to maximise the amount of residential, business and leisure space within walking distance of public transport".

Walter Theseira, a transport economist from Singapore University of Social Sciences, also commented that the study made the important point that one of the benefits of decentralisation would be improved welfare such as commutes that are more acceptable to workers and whether commutes to regional business hubs are more comfortable and shorter for most commuters. The benefits of regional business hubs also largely depend on whether they result in more people living closer to where the workplaces are.

The NTU study is similar to the one conducted in England where it was found that an additional 20 minutes of commuting time had the same effect on job satisfaction as a 19 percent pay cut. Every extra minute of commuting time lowers job satisfaction and leisure time satisfaction heightens strain and worsens mental health.


Does this mean that Working from Home is here to stay as workers prefer not to commute in crowded trains and take too much time to travel to and from work? How can businesses be more flexible in terms of working location for higher employee retention and satisfaction?