When we think of a business trip, we immediately relate to the speed of the plane, don’t we? It turns out that, often, and especially on short journeys or trips that offer the opportunity to choose, other options are more advantageous – including in terms of time.
It’s exactly these pros and cons that we’re going to cover today, especially about business travel by bus.
To warm up: on a trip that you can choose, which way do you prefer: bus, car or plane?
While you’re thinking, expand the debate to your network by sharing this article on LinkedIn encouraging your contacts to answer the same question!
Let’s start our analysis with a few facts:
Traveling by bus may be the fastest option.
This is a finding that does not seem so obvious, compared to other alternatives, especially the plane. However, the following points need to be considered:
How long will it take to travel to the airport and then to the hotel?
How long will the check-in and wait process take?
Flights have the highest rate of delays. Is this already planned?
Will connections be needed? This will also impact the schedule
Now it seems more evident that a business trip by bus can indeed represent agility, doesn’t it?
Bus stations or bus departure points are usually located in the central region of cities, unlike airports. In other words: faster journey!
In addition, the time for boarding is shorter, as is the time for disembarkation and travel to the destination.
Delays are also less common on bus trips and, when they do occur, are much simpler to manage.
This first point leads us to the next one:
It is the option that represents the most productivity for the traveler
Considering what we have just discussed, the employee will have more time to prepare for the trip, both personally and at work, as he will be able to better enjoy the period before boarding.
In addition, during the trip itself, he will have more peace of mind to rest – which, it is already proven, will also increase productivity when arriving at the destination. Depending on the traveler’s position, the route and the arrangement with the manager, the employee can alternate relaxation time with work periods. You can make the last adjustments or study a presentation, for example.
Arrange everything with your collaborator, so that:
He is prepared to take entertainment, such as a tablet, games, etc (supplied or not by the company) – including headphones, a fundamental item in this type of trip.
If it is necessary/interesting to work during the trip, that this is agreed and within the company’s compliance
The latter is a point worth comparing to car trips as well. As well as the next topic:
Traveling by bus is more comfortable
When traveling by car, the employee needs to drive and pay attention to the road, which can generate fatigue, stress, and even unforeseen events that will impact the final result of the commitment.
On the plane, there are all the preparations and tensions discussed above.
That said, we still add the ergonomic fact. If you’ve already compared airplane and bus seats, you’ve surely concluded that the latter are much more comfortable, right?
In this way, a business trip by bus can be more peaceful, comfortable and productive for everyone.
Now for the most obvious topic:
It will probably be the best option for the budget
Planning a corporate trip requires many steps and budgeting is one of the most important. Bearing in mind that bus tickets are usually more affordable than planes and cars, we suggest that this option should always be considered on short/medium national journeys.
In addition to the ticket itself, it is necessary to consider the pricing of the items that we brought in the first topic of this text: travel to the airport, then to the hotel, meals made during the waiting time for boarding, connections, etc.
Analyzing all the points that we have raised so far, it is also possible to conclude that
Business travel by bus offers a safer schedule
With less chance of delays and the need for stopovers, we can say that both car and bus travel offer greater predictability, but only business travel by bus encompasses all the advantages we’ve talked about so far.
This is therefore a strategic option for when the budget and/or schedule is not that flexible.
Are bus trips already included in your company policy?
Once you’ve checked out the benefits, it’s time to prepare to offer this option to your employee. Although all the rules are much more flexible than those for air travel, as with any and all stages of planning a business trip, care must be taken.
Therefore:
Check the rules and guidelines of the bus stations that will be used, about bags and ducts.
Do the same with the chosen road company
Put this collected information in your company’s Corporate Travel Policy
Make sure your employee is well educated on the subject
Lastly:
Listen to the employee’s opinion whenever possible
Within the well-being policy in corporate travel, encompassed in the Duty of Care , the employee is placed as an integral part of the solutions and planning of a trip. For example, an employee may be more comfortable traveling by bus than by plane – or the other way around.
Whenever it is possible to offer these choices, that is, the options make sense for the budget and goals of the trip, listen to your collaborator. Satisfied employee = more productivity and lower turnover for the company.
To the next!
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