BELEAGUERED commuters across the UK are making lifestyle changes to fund spiralling transport costs – with 50% of Yorkshire and Humber commuters cutting back on essentials to be able to fund the travel costs.
That’s according to a new consumer survey from advisors, PwC.
PwC’s Voice of the Consumer survey found that 51% of full-time workers in Yorkshire have experienced increased travel-to-work costs over the past year – with 30% telling researchers their travel costs had increased “a great deal”.
Across the UK, about half of those in full-time employment said they had cut back on living essentials and luxuries to fund their rising travel expenditure.
The North has the lowest travel costs among the eight UK regions – with annual travel costs averaging £1,009 compared to the South East (£1,422) and the Midlands (£1,376).
However, 54% of commuters across Yorkshire have reduced socialising and going to the pub to fund travel while 62% have cut back on eating out.
Iain Hill, PwC partner in the transport and logistics team in West Yorkshire, said: “In this era of austerity, many people are having to make difficult choices on essential spend and lifestyle.”
