As millions of Brits start to plan their trip home for Christmas, half of those relying on rail are worried they won’t make it on time, a new survey shows.
According to car sharing marketplace Turo, a huge portion of those without cars are stressed about their Christmas travel, particularly about not making it to their parents in time and couples having to decide whose family to visit. Whether it is Christmas Eve drinks in the local pub or a niece’s nativity play, car-less Brits are worried unreliable trains will stop them from getting to their celebrations this year.
It comes following three years of serious rail disruption over the Christmas period which 17% of respondents said caused them to miss an event 12 months ago.
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Those aged between 18-34 are the most worried of the lot.
(Image: Getty Images)
Turo director Rory Brimmer commented: “Owning a car makes no sense for a huge number of people in our largest cities. But at Christmas, this lack of flexibility can make a trip home really stressful, with half of rail users in our survey worried they won’t make it on time.
“What should be a joyful journey home to see family for the festive season has become an anxiety-inducing experience for many. And once at home many of us end up feeling like kids again – forced to conform to another person’s schedule and feeling like a burden.”
From planned engineering works to strikes and staff shortages, there was an average of four ‘severely disrupted days’ with 5% or more trains cancelled over the last three Christmas periods, according to Turo. In 2022, strikes led to six severely disrupted days between December 23 and 31, not including the routine shutdown of rail services on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
(Image: Getty Images)
A fifth of car-less Brits not planning on going home for Christmas at all, said it’s due to not having a motor of their own.
Cars were by far the most desired method of Christmas transport for respondents, with 42% saying it was their ‘preferred’ method of transport, citing convenience, comfort and flexibility as the top reasons for preferring car travel.
Even Brits who do go home without a car, face a return to childhood dependence on their parents ferrying them around with more than half relying on family members for rides at home. As a result, 35% admitted it made them feel they had to follow other people’s schedule, while 31% said it made them feel like a ‘burden’.
Turo‘s Rory Brimmer added: “There is another option to ownership or rail: thousands of cars are available on Turo to book over Christmas*** and can get you anywhere in the country in comfort and style.”