A survey of tradespeople shows that significant numbers turn down jobs due to travel time because of traffic, with an estimated €7,000 lost annually due to traffic delays.
The survey of 500 tradespeople found that the amount of time travelling to and from jobs, and getting stuck in traffic, not only causes frustration but also leads to financial loss. As a result, many tradespeople in Ireland are advocating for the reinstatement of the first hour of “travel time” expense, as demonstrated by the strikes earlier this year.
The new study by Chill Insurance surveyed tradespeople in Ireland who use a van as their main form of transport for work. The research analyses the economic impact of these roadblocks, revealing the industries hit hardest, the regions with the biggest losses, and the ways travel time affects business choices for those reliant on transport.
The key findings include:
Over two-fifths (48%) of Irish tradespeople would support the restoration of payment for the first hour of travel time for themselves and fellow tradespeople
Nearly two-fifths (38%) have declined jobs due to travel time, with tradespeople turning down an average of five jobs per month because of traffic—amounting to 60 jobs annually per person
Over two-fifths (41%) believe they could earn more money if traffic were less of an issue
One in three (32%) Irish tradespeople typically charge clients for the time spent travelling to and from jobs, including it in the total price
Irish tradespeople lose approximately €137 per week to traffic delays—over €7,000 annually—with a staggering 86% of their travel time spent in gridlock
Gas and boiler services experience the steepest financial hit, the survey found, with €8,158 lost each year
Traffic delays cost Irish tradespeople, on average, €137 per week, totaling nearly €7,000 a year. For some industries, this figure is even higher.
Those in the gas and boiler industry spend around five hours and 54 minutes in traffic per week, adding up to 13 full days of work lost over the course of the year. This incurs an average weekly loss of €157, which translates to €8,158 annually.
This is followed by bricklaying, with professionals in the field spending seven hours per week travelling, over six of which is spent in traffic – the most of any industry. Bricklayers are therefore losing two weeks of work during one year due to traffic, meaning they miss out on around €156 weekly, or €8,129 each year. Electricians also face high losses, with €152 in weekly missed income amounting to nearly €7,893 annually, the survey found.