Train Fare Inflation and the Flexible Workspace Solution

It’s that time of year where those who commute sit glued to Google, waiting to hear how bad the news will be. At 9:30am today we were told that average rail fares will rise by 3.5% from January next year – an increase of July’s Retail Price Inflation measure + 1%. However, the “flex” rule in effect stipulates that some fares will be allowed to soar beyond 1% in excess of the RPI, as long as these are averaged out by reductions elsewhere. The chances are, therefore, that if you are travelling at peak times and inter cities (i.e. to work, like most of us) you could be paying as much as 5.5% more for your journey, just after this Christmas.

Regulated fares have risen steadily by more than the inflation rate every year since 2004 and are predicted to rise a further 24% by 2018 if the current trends continue. Whilst protests and petitions have taken flight, there must surely be an immediate solution to a 5% increase in the nation’s second biggest monthly outgoing after housing.

Luckily, this train fare nightmare, with its flexible inflation, coincides with a hike in a more favourable flexible trend: hot desking and the redistribution of the modern workforce. With the increased demands of 24/7 consumer culture, time is up for the 9-5 format. New legislation has been passed empowering all employees to work flexibly and companies across the country are having a revelation: flexible workspaces bring better balance to employees’ work life and bumped-up bottom lines for them.

Businesses such as NearDesk have stepped in to provide the perfect solution to facing the fare increase. With their pay-as-you-go software that is set up in serviced office centres nationwide, you could soon find yourself working locally in a professional environment, with an extra hour-or-so at either end of your day and a few extra pounds (or more) in your pocket at the end of the month. You could even start the day at a flexible workspace hub, before hopping onto the train at an off-peak time and saving yourself a bundle. Alternatively, if you’re interested in working remotely on a more regular basis, serviced office centres such as QV Offices in Reading, Berkshire, have monthly pre-paid flexible workspace packages to accommodate your needs perfectly.

To facilitate flexible working for your team, look to source somewhere local that also boasts excellent transport links for those unavoidable journeys and out-of-town visitors. Serviced offices that can provide meeting rooms as well as flexible workspaces are the best of both worlds and the optimum option for the intelligent work force.