Pre-pandemic, my 08:10 Southbound on the London Tube used to be packed to the brim. People would squish and squeeze into the last bits of remaining space in each carriage. And it would remain like that all the way into town.
It was even worse on rainy mornings. People who travel by bike now took the train. And the soaking umbrellas took up space and left the floors of the carriage a sopping mess.
I took the 08:10 train this morning and braced for a crammed, unpleasant journey. But I was so happy to be wrong. It was spacious, calm, and comfortable.
My guess is hybrid work not only impacts how often people choose to go into the office, but also gives them the flexibility to stay home on days when the weather is foul and the commute is a real pain. This leads to a much calmer commute for those travelling on rainy days.
I’m not complaining!