Avoid the depression and misery of commuting

The National Commute Smart Week, to be held 26 October - 1 November, will draw attention to wasted time and resources caused by commuting, especially during peak times.

Commute Smart Week will also highlight many ways of avoiding the misery of travelling to and from work in the dark and the depression and despondency this causes.

Flexible working times (including flexitime, condensed hours and nine-day fortnights), staggered journeys and part home-working reduce the need to commute and allow people to avoid peak times.

Trying alternative ways of commuting, such as cycling or walking, also helps reduce congestion and public transport overcrowding and improves health and wellbeing.

Reducing traffic congestion and public transport overcrowding by extending the rush hour and reducing peak demand through smarter working and commuting will make the daily commute more bearable for workers with no choice of when and how to travel.

National Commute Smart Week will have five themes this year, one for each weekday: flexible working and travel plans, road congestion and road safety (including car sharing), cycling (why spend hours in the gym?), walking (get off a stop or station early and walk) and the health benefits of smarter working and commuting.

Smarter working and commuting may also reduce the deaths and injuries that occur on British roads during winter.

Work Wise UK will be publishing a series of tips and guidance on working smarter prior to National Commute Smart Week.

Phil Flaxton, of Work Wise UK, said: 'The benefits of smarter working include lower overheads for employers, more productivity and a demonstrable commitment to the environment.

'Smarter working practices also mean happier employees.'.

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