The study by West Midlands Railway has revealed a surprising trend in how people are making the most of their time on trains. Instead of simply passing the time, many commuters are using their travel time to work on side hustles, transform their “dead time” into a money-making opportunity.
From Reselling to Content Creation
- 36 per cent of commuters are reselling goods online on platforms such as Vinted and eBay.
- 31 per cent are turning to content creation and social media management.
- 22 per cent are sharing their skills by tutoring or teaching online.
- 19 per cent are blogging or podcasting.
These statistics show that commuters are using their time on trains to generate extra income, and the benefits are numerous. For instance, 71 per cent of train commuters reported that spending this time on a side hustle makes them more efficient, while 63 per cent said it helps them stay ahead in life.
Productivity and Life Satisfaction
| Benefits | Percentage of Train Commuters |
|---|---|
| More efficient | 71% |
| Helps stay ahead in life | 63% |
| More productive than car, bus, or tram travel | 70% |
| Higher life satisfaction | 70% |
Train commuters also reported feeling more productive than those who travel by car, bus, or tram, making the most of their journeys rather than losing time in traffic. This sense of efficiency also translates to overall higher life satisfaction compared to other commuters, reinforcing the benefits of train travel beyond getting to your end destination.
Benefits of Sustainable Travel
70 per cent of communities stated that travelling in such a sustainable way makes them feel happy.
