Trainline Business reveals over half of SMEs are missing out on rail savings

Warning comes as provider launches upgraded platform

New research from Trainline Business shows that over half of UK SMEs are currently missing out on rail savings when booking business travel.

63% of respondents employed by SMEs, that plan to travel in the next 12 months, miss out due to delays and complexities in booking processes.

SMEs are emerging as the biggest drivers of business travel growth in the UK, with recent Trainline research revealing that 9 out of 10 UK SMEs expect their employees will travel more for business in 2024. 

Maintaining tight controls over travel expenditure remains a challenge, with 38% of SMEs facing difficulties managing their business travel spend.

Trainline Business has launched an upgraded tech platform, in response to the needs of the SME market it says.

It's designed to help secure savings and better manage rail travel.

Covering rail travel in the UK and across Europe, the new platform makes it easier for employees to plan journeys, obtain expense receipts, and access digital tickets through the app while on the move. 

The additional customisable tools available on the platform, such as streamlined business-wide spend reports and bespoke travel and budget rules, will also support businesses in managing and taking control of spend.

Sophie Ireland, global head of Trainline Business, said: “Our research shows that too many SMEs are still struggling to access the best value rail travel and miss out on savings as a result. 

"With business travel levels expected to grow this year, it is important SMEs can benefit from the best prices and have easy access to lower-carbon modes of travel like rail. 

"With most SMEs needing to manage their travel in-house, we have redesigned Trainline Business to simplify their rail travel planning, providing greater autonomy for users while still ensuring that businesses have oversight on their travel spend.”