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Survey

What makes your commute so remarkable?

At twice a day or several times a week, there are few journeys we make as frequently as our commute to work. However, the way in which we go about it is very personal and depends on our location: what works in Oberkochen would be inconceivable in Tokyo or Bangalore and vice versa. Five employees talk about crowded streets and subways, brightly colored curiosities and the need for flexibility when choosing how to travel.

Takuto Sonoda is standing at a subway station, ready to board a train.

Sonoda Takuto

IT/Workplace APAC/Network APAC, SSC Japan, Tokyo

My daily commute to work takes me through Tokyo‘s subway system. Like everywhere else in Japan, public transportation is very punctual and runs frequently. The only problem is that the trains are usually very full! The lines often stretch far through the stations, which are so winding that they resemble a labyrinth. Getting a seat is not just a question of luck - you need a good strategy more than anything else. I have learned to choose less crowded cars and to use the stops where many passengers get off. Some commuters even travel to the starting station of the line to secure a seat. Fortunately, the train cars are well air-conditioned and despite the crowds, the atmosphere is pleasantly quiet. In Japan, it is our custom not to speak loudly on public transport.

You need a good strategy to get a seat on Tokyo‘s subway.

Sonoda Takuto
Kajal Kamal is standing by a car, her hand on the door handle, smiling warmly at the camera.

Kajal Kamal

PR-Lead, SSC India, Bengaluru

For me, commuting is more than just moving between two places—it‘s a daily opportunity for connection and learning. In Bangalore, traffic can easily slow you down, but ZEISS makes it better by providing a shared cab. The mornings are filled with laughter, news updates, and weekend stories, setting a positive tone for the day ahead. After a long day at work, the ride home becomes a chance to unwind and reflect on the day‘s events with colleagues.

We all appreciate the camaraderie that comes with sharing a ride, not only for the cost savings but also for its positive impact on the environment and reducing traffic. The best part is interacting with co-workers from various departments, gaining fresh perspectives and useful insights that often help in my own work. These daily conversations remind me of the incredible value each person brings to our company. Over time, some of these connections have even grown into friendships outside of work.So yes, my commute is more than just a journey from point A to point B. It‘s a time for building relationships, exchanging ideas, and discovering new ways to grow both personally and professionally.

The mornings are filled with laughter, news updates, and weekend stories.

Kajal Kamal
Dr. Bertram Klein, dressed in sporty attire, stands next to a yellow velomobile of the "Mango" model, designed for sustainable transportation. He is holding an orange bicycle helmet in his hand, smiling, and looking at the camera.

Dr. Bertram Klein

Systems Engineering EUV Projection, ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Oberkochen, Germany

 

I usually cycle to work simply because exercise is good for me in my everyday life but I also have a certain soft spot for bikes of all kinds. You can also see that from the fleet of vehicles I have at home. This includes a gravel bike for bike tours with friends and a cargo bike that I use to take the children to nursery. I also enjoy cycling my road bike in my free time. However, the most unusual bike I have in the stable is definitely my bright yellow velomobile. Velomobiles are fully enclosed recumbent bicycles. The model I‘m using is called Mango - a visually apt name. The advantages of velomobiles are that they can get very fast thanks to their streamlined design and that they keep out the cold wind and rain in winter. Speed doesn‘t really come into it on my way to work in Oberkochen, as there‘s a slight incline. However, on the way back I can just let it roll and I‘m actually ten minutes quicker than on a conventional bike. At its peak, my Mango can reach around 50 kph on the road.

My Mango reaches a top speed of around 50 km/h on the road.

Dr. Bertram Klein
Sheila Red is sitting in an open car, smiling and using a smartphone. She is wearing glasses, a light blue shirt, and a black dress.

Sheila Red

Department Administrator, ZEISS Medical Technology, Dublin, US

I get in my electric car every morning and drive about fifteen minutes to work. Such a short commute is pure luxury in the Bay Area! My husband and I switched to e-mobility about a year and a half ago. We had been thinking about buying an electric car for a while. In the end, it was the charging stations that ZEISS makes available to its employees at the office that tipped the scales. I enjoy the peace and quiet on my journey and mentally prepare myself for the working day. On the way back, the peace and quiet in the car helps me to switch off from my hectic everyday life. I feel good driving an electric vehicle because it’s better for our environment. It also feels good to work for a company that supports its employees in having a climate-friendly lifestyle.

I feel good driving an electric vehicle because it’s better for our environment.

Sheila Red
Victor Miao, wearing a white polo shirt and a backpack, is standing in a subway, holding onto a pole and looking at the camera. In the background, other passengers are seated, and the subway's interior is visible.

Victor Miao

Marketing Manager, ZEISS Vision Care, Guangzhou, China

In megacities like Shanghai, the commute to work can easily take one or two hours. It is therefore crucial to find the optimal mix of transportation options. To avoid the traffic jams at rush hour, I usually prefer the train. For the last few kilometers to the office, however, I switch to the shuttle service that ZEISS provides for its employees. Our company operates around ten bus routes that run from our headquarters to the most important areas of the city. The shuttle bus makes my commute more flexible, as it is another option in the transportation mix. I still spend just under an hour on the bus and train each way. I usually use this time to listen to music or surf social media apps such as TikTok and Redbook.

The optimal mix of transportation options is crucial in Shanghai.

Victor Miao