In French, the term commuting refers to all the daily journeys that an employee, or more broadly a worker, makes between their home and their workplace. Borrowed from the English to commute, it applies to all forms of transport: walking, cycling, train, tram, bus, car, carpooling, scooter or company shuttle. Commuting is not limited to simple travel; it influences quality of life, time management and, increasingly, the environmental strategy of companies.
The word appears in 19th-century English literature to describe residents who exchanged (“commuted”) a daily journey for a cheaper rail pass. In French, it is also referred to as trajet domicile-travail or navette (home-work journey or shuttle). The people concerned are the commuters (in English) or, more rarely, the navetteurs (in French). The verb commuter is sometimes used in specialist circles, but everyday language prefers “faire le trajet” or “aller au travail” (travel or go to work).
Commuting conditions vary depending on the city, country and available modes of transport. In large urban areas, the average travel time often exceeds forty minutes per day, with peaks of over an hour in very dense capitals. In the countryside, distances are sometimes longer, but reduced traffic can compensate for the duration. The increasing use of bicycles and soft mobility options (electrically assisted bicycles, scooters) is changing the distribution of means of transport: the aim is to save time, reduce costs and gain health benefits.
While each journey is unique, we generally distinguish between:
For employees, commuting directly affects fatigue, stress and the time available for personal life. A long and unpredictable journey can reduce productivity upon arrival at the office. On the employer side, the hidden cost is measured in delays, absenteeism, decreased engagement or talent departures. Hybrid work policies and partial remote work are now strategic responses: by reducing the frequency of travel, they improve well-being and reduce CO₂ emissions related to transport.
In several European countries, legislation encourages the use of two-wheelers through a mileage allowance or the coverage of accessories (helmet, lock, lighting). Companies can also provide showers, changing rooms and secure parking. These measures, which are simple to implement, reduce traffic congestion, limit the need for parking spaces and promote the health of Employees.
Commuting represents a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions from large metropolitan areas; in France, it is estimated at nearly a quarter of daily motorised journeys. Public policies encourage multimodality and a shift towards cleaner transport (rail, bicycle, electric buses). Companies are aligning themselves through mobility plans: bicycle fleets, collective shuttles, subsidies for train passes or staggered hours to avoid rush hour.
The health crisis has amplified awareness: people no longer “commute” five days out of five out of habit. The 2-3 days in the office model is becoming widespread, associated with satellite spaces or coworking. This evolution reconfigures the choice of living place: some families are settling further away from city centres, banking on less frequent but longer journeys, while others are favouring immediate proximity to get around on foot or by bike.
Commuting is not just a simple journey; it is a key parameter of professional and personal life. By combining sustainable mobility, flexible hours and hybrid work, organisations and individuals can reduce time spent in transport, control costs and limit their carbon footprint. Understanding and optimising commuting means improving the quality of life, economic performance and environmental impact of our daily activities.
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