The future of the commute

Photo by Corey Agopian on Unsplash

With hybrid working transforming commuting patterns over the last two years, new research has today revealed what the average commute will look like in the future. According to Applied Futurist, Tom Cheesewright, electric flying taxis could be with us within the next decade, and futuristic technology such as supersonic international travel and space elevators will become part of everyday life within the next 50 years.

Cheesewright’s research was compiled in partnership with FREE NOW, the Mobility Super App, to help the brand predict how passengers will get from A to B in the next 10, 20 and 50 years. His fascinating predictions chart the development of commuting through ‘the decade of electrification’, ‘the decade of intelligence’ and ‘the decade of the shrinking green planet’:

10 years: Enter –  The Decade of Electrification

“The great switch to electric is currently on the up – but these won’t be the only vehicles to undergo electrification in the next decade. eBuses and eTaxis offer more practical options to commuters, with lower running costs and longer ranges for travel. Alternative transport, including electric flying taxis, are not as far off as we may think. Due to take off in certain parts of the world such as the UK, Germany and China, they will primarily run fixed routes such as cities to airports, largely for wealthy and time-poor commuters.”

20 years: Enter – The Decade of Intelligence 

“Beyond 20 years you will be able to call a car from your metaverse headset and have it take you in comfort wherever you want to go. City dwellers will also likely pay for transport via a subscription service – it will be a more affordable option to owning a car, with tiered options to account for different budgets.”

50 years: Enter – The Decade of the Shrinking, Green Planet 

“Fully electric aircrafts powered by renewable energy are on the horizon, meaning short haul European travel will have a much smaller carbon impact. Creating cleaner, long-haul planes will take longer as synthetic fuel production levels remain very small – but there are various technologies that could soon cut 80-90% of the carbon cost of flight. Long haul travel is likely to remain expensive – but it may get faster. Decades after the last flight of Concorde in 2003, we may see supersonic international travel as an option once again, making that meeting in New York much more accessible. 

“Even getting into space may not require riding in a rocket. In 50 years we may be considering the construction of something that has long been a staple of science fiction: the space elevator. Ride out to the middle of the ocean and you can take a lift into space. It won’t be quick, but it will be more comfortable (and more environmentally friendly) than being strapped to the top of a missile.”

The predictions are in stark contrast to the realities of many Brits’ commute today. A survey of 2,000 adults found that 82 per cent of workers are now travelling to their office three or more times a week – with almost a third (28 per cent) spending at least an hour of their day commuting.

When it comes to choosing the best route, an impressive 63 per cent of commuters actively consider the environmental impact of their journey, with 31 per cent opting for the most sustainable route, even if it takes longer or costs more.

Nevertheless, over half of workers (51 per cent) wish their commute was shorter and when asked how they’d prefer to spend this time, respondents listed sleeping (36 per cent), exercising (29 per cent) and getting life admin under their belt (26 per cent) as the best ways to reallocate the time lost to travelling.

When asked how they predict commuting will look 50 years from now, respondents cited bullet-train speed transport (19 per cent), body-chipped access (15 per cent) and flying cars or pods (14 per cent).

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