Smart Commuting: Take Control of Your Time, Costs, and Peace of Mind

Commuting is part of the job for many positions in trades, tech, office, or IT. With a few smart tweaks, you can save time and money, and start your shift or meeting feeling much less stressed.

Quick fixes to improve your commute

Before you just set off without thinking: treat your route like a small project. Often, small changes make the biggest difference.

• Mix up your departure times: Leaving 20 minutes earlier or later can help you avoid traffic jams or peak public transport hours
• Combine different travel options: Park & Ride, bike + train, or carpooling can noticeably reduce your costs
• Build in some realistic buffer time: Better to have 10 minutes to spare than to be sprinting for the clock every morning
• Make the most of waiting time: Read, learn, prep for meetings—but keep it stress-free, not another to-do on your list

Discuss your options with your employer or staffing partner

Many people don’t realize how much flexibility there is to negotiate terms—especially if your assignments are at various locations.

1. Ask about a commuting allowance or options for a company travel card (even covering part of the costs)
2. Check if shift times are flexible—sometimes a small change (e.g. 6:30 instead of 6:00) makes a big difference
3. Talk about assignment planning: focus on work closer to home, request longer job duration, or fewer location changes

Tip: Come prepared with real numbers (monthly costs, commute times) instead of just gut feelings—this makes it much easier to find solutions.

If you take an active approach to organizing your commute, you'll find you have more energy—and your workday becomes a lot more predictable.