Top bugbears for commuters – like feet on the seats and smelly eaters

Other gripes include co-travellers hogging seats with their bags, fellow commuters having graphic conversations very loudly, and having to stand under someone’s armpits.

However, 48 percent admit they have been guilty of committing such faux pas themselves.

The research was commissioned by Virgin Trains Ticketing, a booking platform which rewards passengers with points which can be exchanged for “everyday treats”, flights, and experiences.

Director Mark Plowright said: “Commuting is a necessity for many working adults, and as the research shows it’s often the source of much frustration.

“But it shouldn’t be such a nightmare – indeed, travellers are likely to have lots of things they enjoy about their journey. It’s just that certain occurrences can ruin what should be a time to relax.”

The study also found the typical public transport commute is 41 minutes long – and on average, 36 percent of it is spent feeling irritated.

This works out to be just under half-an-hour in total every day – there and back – or two-and-a-half hours each working week.

This might partly explain why three in five (61 percent) think commuters should be offered more incentives to use public transport.

But 41 percent are not aware that some train operators run loyalty point reward schemes.

This finding emerged at a time when two-thirds (67 percent) said they’re relying on such schemes to help counteract the costs of everyday living as much as possible.

The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found 26 percent intend to look for cheaper ways to get to work over the coming months.

And one in five (21 percent) of those polled intend to commute to work more in the coming months – to save costs on heating and electricity at home.

Mark Plowright added: “It’s understandable there’s a desire for commuters to have more incentives to use public transport.

“For one thing, they spend a lot of time and money on these ways of getting to and from work.

“We’re hoping we can make days a little brighter with Virgin Trains Ticketing, and a heap of points for every journey booked.”