The GTMC has called on the rail industry to focus more on the differences between Generation Y and Generation X rail travellers.
It said as younger travellers will soon become the “mainstay” of business travel it is “essential” differences are recognised and “services evolve”.
Generation Y or 'millennials' are terms often used to describe people aged 18-32 and people born between 1960 and 1980 are often referred to as Generation X or 'baby boomers'
The findings come from the GTMC’s Voice of the Business Rail Traveller survey, which found almost 30 per cent of Gen-Y travellers choose first class when using trains for business, compared to just 16 per cent of Gen-X travellers.
The study also found one in five young people believe if more capacity were to be introduced, priority should be given to first class seats as opposed to standard class, compared to just six per cent of older respondents, the study of more than 1,000 GTMC members found.
“The differences between business travellers under 30, and those older, are important considerations for the rail industry,” said GTMC chief executive Paul Wait.
“It is clear from the research findings that the rail industry has changes to make in order to remain in touch with its future big spenders."
The study found a third of Gen-Y rail travellers indicated a support for above-inflation ticket fare increases if it led to reduced demand for rail travel and therefore less overcrowding.
The GTMC analysed services provided by rail companies and found 80 per cent of under 30’s wanted to see bike storage on trains, compared to just over half of all other respondents. Other options requested were free wifi, more power points, better catering and business lounges both on-board trains and in stations.
The GTMC represents a diverse range of TMCs - from global companies to small independent specialists.