30 January 2025 •
30 January 2025
Local rail operator c2c Trenitalia has unveiled new research findings revealing that 98% of UK commuters listen to music during their train journeys to enhance their mood and mental wellbeing.
With many c2c customers travelling along the stunning Essex Riviera for their commute, a number of chart-topping classics are helping to set passengers up for the day, according to a new report from the Rail Delivery Group.
The research states that 98% of passengers said they listened to music while on the train, with 40% of respondents saying that not listening to music would negatively impact their mood and mental wellbeing.
Additionally, a combined 57% of respondents said that they rely on their commute to wake them up, get them ready for the day ahead and improve their mental health.
Throughout 2024, c2c’s trains achieved a within three minutes of scheduled arrival percentage of 93.5% – significantly higher than the 84.8% national average – helping passengers get ready for a ‘Manic Monday’ on their way in to work, or relax after the stress of a working day, ‘Shake it Off’ and be home in no time.
Dr Michael Bonshor, Course Director of the University of Sheffield’s Distance Learning MA in Music Psychology in Education, Performance and Wellbeing explains how music can enhance the train experience:
“Listening to familiar music on the train is often enjoyable because it can create pleasurable feelings of relaxation and nostalgia. We associate past experiences with particular songs, so we choose tracks that we know will be uplifting, relaxing or help us prepare for our working day.”
Britain’s top commuting tunes range from 80s power ballads to modern crowd pleasers, according to those surveyed, with the top five as follows:
- Eye of the Tiger by Survivor – 36%
- 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton – 28%
- Happy by Pharrell Williams – 24%
- I Gotta Feeling by the Black-Eyed Peas – 24%
- Manic Monday by The Bangles – 24%
Rob Mullen, c2c’s Managing Director, said:
“We want our customers to feel relaxed and happy when we bring them to and from work every day and, as we all know, getting in the right frame of mind is invaluable in setting the tone for the day.
“While the beautiful scenery across our route helps, music is so vitally important to achieving that goal, which is why c2c understands the importance of providing a reliable and relaxing service that allows our passengers to not have to worry about getting to and from work.”
According to the report, the average amount of time people listened to music on their commute was 72.7 minutes, with 46% of people saying that the journey provided some ‘me time.’ For c2c passengers, the journey from Southend Central to London Fenchurch Street takes just 54 minutes, so with a reliable amount of ‘me time’ in the morning and evening, passengers can put on their headphones and release the feeling of being ‘Under Pressure.’
So, in the 54 minutes it takes to catch the train from Southend Central to Fenchurch Street, you can fit in 15 of your favourite songs, setting the mood for whatever you have planned at the end of the journey.
c2c is committed to championing music education in our local communities, highlighted by our longstanding partnership with The Song School in Southend, which has seen the school’s children come down to our stations to perform for customers on numerous occasions.
Started by iconic local musician, Louisa Strachan, The Song School provides children with the opportunity to further their music education as well as giving them a platform to discover the subject in further depth.
Finally, as part of the campaign, National Rail is offering passengers a 30% discount on Sofar Sounds owned gigs and music events (valid until Thursday 27 February 2025) – and is available by clicking here.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
About c2c
- c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex.
- Owned by Trenitalia, c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 35.8 million journeys are made on its services every year.
- Italian-based Trenitalia is one of Europe’s leading rail operators and the passenger rail arm of FS Italiane Group.
- For more information email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net
Images: Featured Image ‘c2c 357 travels along the Essex Riviera’
Second Image – ‘c2c Managing Director, Rob Mullen’
Third Image: – ‘Dr Michael Bonshor’
Rail Delivery Group
This research included 2,000 British people, was commissioned by Rail Delivery Group and conducted by Perspectus Global during January 2025.
- TRAIN COMMUTERS – 97.4 x 25 (working days in a month) = 2,435 minutes divided by 60 = 40.5 hours a month. 41 x 12 (months in the year) = 492 hours a year
BRITAIN’S TOP COMMUTING TUNES:
- Eye of the Tiger by Survivor – 36%
- 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton – 28%
- Happy by Pharrell Williams – 24%
- I Gotta Feeling by the Black-Eyed Peas – 24%
- Manic Monday by The Bangles – 24%
- I’m Still Standing by Elton John – 23%
- I Want to Break Free by Queen – 23%
- Lose Yourself by Eminem – 23%
- Work by Rihanna ft. Drake – 22%
- I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor – 22%
- Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter – 21%
- Shake It Off by Taylor Swift – 20%
- Back to Black by Amy Winehouse – 21%
- Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie – 20%
- I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston – 20%
- Money For Nothing by Dire Straits – 18%
- We Are the Champions by Queen – 18%
- Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey – 18%
- Firestarter by The Prodigy – 18%
- Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves – 17%
- Blinding Lights by The Weeknd – 17%
- Dreams by Fleetwood Mac – 17%
- Tiny Dancer by Elton John – 16%
- Hard Day’s Night by The Beatles – 15%
- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell – 15%
- As it Was by Harry Styles – 15%
- Survivor by Destiny’s Child – 15%
- Suspicious Minds by Elvis Presley – 14%
- Stronger by Kayne West – 14%
- Born Slippy by Underworld – 14%
National Rail x Sofar Sounds Discount: To give commuters the opportunity to experience more live music and discover new and upcoming musical talent to add to their playlists for less, National Rail has partnered with global music organisation Sofar Sounds to give passengers a 30% discount on Sofar Sounds shows until Thursday 27 February 2025. It is available by clicking here.
About National Rail
Rail Delivery Group manages certain products and services on behalf of the rail industry through its National Rail brand. National Rail provides customers with journey planning, real time, fares and rail-related information. National Rail also helps eligible customers save 1/3 on most rail journeys (and 60% on kids’ fares) with Railcards. The range of Railcards consists of 16-25, 26-30, Family & Friends, Two Together, Senior, Disabled Persons, Veterans and Network Railcard. There is also a 16-17 Saver that saves customers 50% off their rail journeys, including season tickets. For more information visit www.railcard.co.uk. For more information on journey planning, fares and booking travel assistance visit www.nationalrail.co.uk.
About The Song School
The Song School exists to create communities for music making, accessible for everyone regardless of circumstances. The Song School wants to break down the barriers associated with learning music, including high tuition fees, access to instruments and practice spaces, plus create environments where all children and young people can thrive. The Song School wants all to be able to access the benefits that include improved confidence, self-esteem, mental wellbeing and educational aspirations.
Link to website: thesongschool.co.uk
Contact: louisa@thesongschool.co.uk