The 2026 travel surveys reveal a clear difference in commuting habits between staff and students. Students are more likely to walk or use public transport, while staff remain heavily reliant on cars. However, both groups agree on one thing: better public transport and safer active travel routes would make sustainable travel easier.
How People Travel to Campus
Staff Travel Modes
Car alone ██████████████████████████████ 60%
Walking ██████████ 21%
Bicycle ████ 7%
Car share ██ 5%
Train █ 3%
Bus ▏ 1%
Other █ 2%
Student Travel Modes
Walking ████████████████ 31%
Car alone ███████████████ 29%
Train █████████ 18%
Bus ███ 6%
Car share ███ 6%
Other █████ 10%
Students demonstrate a more balanced travel mix, with walking just ahead of driving, whereas three in five staff commute alone by car.
Weekly Campus Attendance
Staff
4 days/week ███████████████████ 37%
3 days/week ████████████ 23%
5 days/week ███████████ 21%
1-2 days/week ████ 9%
Other ██ 10%
Students
3 days/week ████████████████████ 39%
4 days/week ███████████████ 33%
5 days/week ██████ 11%
1-2 days/week ███ 7%
Other ████ 10%
Most students travel to campus three or four days a week, while staff show a more varied attendance pattern.
Journey Time Comparison
Staff Students
0-15 mins 19% 21%
16-30 mins 37% 29%
31-60 mins 38% 17%
61+ mins 6% 7%
Visual Comparison
0-15 mins Staff █████████
Student ██████████
16-30 mins Staff ██████████████████
Student ██████████████
31-60 mins Staff ███████████████████
Student ████████
61+ mins Staff ███
Student ████
Staff generally face longer commutes, with three-quarters travelling between 16 and 60 minutes each way.
Can People Use Sustainable Alternatives?
Public Transport Feasibility
Staff
Yes ████████████████████████ 82%
No/Unsure █████ 18%
Students
Yes █████████████████████ 67%
No/Unsure ███████████ 33%
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Many respondents could theoretically use public transport, but practical barriers such as cost, reliability and journey times remain significant.
Why Do People Drive?
Staff Drivers
Time saving/convenience ████████████████████ 77%
Distance too far ██████████████ 55%
Public transport impractical ████████████ 49%
Cost savings █████████ 32%
Family responsibilities ███████ 30%
Student Drivers
Time saving/convenience ███████████████████ 73%
Distance too far █████████████ 66%
Public transport impractical ████████ 36%
Cost savings █████ 23%
Family responsibilities ███ 20%
For both groups, convenience remains the strongest reason for driving, closely followed by distance and limited public transport options.
What Would Encourage More Sustainable Travel?
Staff Priorities
Reliable public transport ██████████████████ 45%
Safer cycle routes ██████████████ 34%
Cheaper public transport █████████████ 33%
Direct public transport ████████ 20%
Safer footpaths ██████ 16%
Student Priorities
Cheaper public transport ██████████████ 34%
Direct public transport ██████████████ 34%
Safer cycle routes ██████████████ 34%
Reliable public transport ████████████ 29%
Closer stops/stations ████████ 20%
The message is clear: improving public transport and active travel infrastructure would help shift travel behaviour across the University community. This message is the same as previous surveys. Work in Worcestershire County Council will hopefully see improvements going forward.
Key Takeaways
Students are already embracing lower-carbon travel, with walking and rail use playing a major role.
Staff remain car-dependent, largely because of longer journeys, caring responsibilities and limited transport alternatives.
Both groups want better public transport, particularly cheaper tickets, more reliable services and more direct routes.
Safer cycling infrastructure is a shared priority, suggesting significant potential to increase active travel.
Improving sustainable travel options remains one of the University’s biggest opportunities to reduce transport emissions while supporting healthier, more affordable journeys for staff and students alike.