NJ TRANSIT CONTINUES SYSTEM-WIDE ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

January 8, 2026

NEWARK, NJ - NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri, joined by the New Jersey Transit Police Department's Senior Vice President, Chief of Police & Office of Emergency Management Christopher Trucillo, and former Premier League and Major League Soccer star Bradley Wright-Phillips, announced NJ TRANSIT's new 2026 anti-human trafficking awareness campaign - titled "Safe Passage" - which builds upon NJ TRANSIT's nationally-recognized 2025 initiative, "Human Trafficking Isn't Always Easy to Spot." Last month, NJ TRANSIT won the U.S. Department of Transportation's 2025 Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award, for its anti-human trafficking campaign conducted systemwide in conjunction with the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.

The "Safe Passage" campaign places a renewed focus on public safety and awareness as the tri-state area prepares to welcome over a million visitors for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. As part of the announcement, NJ TRANSIT unveiled two specially wrapped buses that will operate statewide throughout January in recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

"As we prepare to welcome the world to New Jersey for the FIFA World Cup 2026, we are reaffirming our commitment to public and passenger safety," said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri. "This campaign is about equipping the public and our employees with the information they need to help protect vulnerable individuals and strengthen our collective vigilance."

"NJ TRANSIT's Safe Passage initiative reflects our commitment to protecting the customers who rely on our system, as we prepare to welcome over a million visitors traveling to and from World Cup matches and events," said NJDOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Fran O'Connor. "With New Jersey taking its place on the international stage, it is our responsibility, along with our partners in law enforcement, to proactively raise awareness about the dangers of human trafficking while taking meaningful action to prevent it."

"We take our responsibility to prevent and detect human trafficking very seriously," said New Jersey Transit Police Chief Christopher Trucillo. "New Jersey Transit Police officers, as well as all frontline employees have received training in this area. We also work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to raise awareness, detect victims and protect the most vulnerable. By working together, we are committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and secure travel experience for everyone traveling to matches and utilizing our facilities."

"As we prepare to welcome the world to our region for the World Cup, safety must remain at the center of everything we do," said Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York New Jersey World Cup 26 Host Committee. "NJ TRANSIT's Safe Passage campaign demonstrates the kind of proactive, coordinated approach that major global events demand. By raising awareness and working hand-in-hand with our law enforcement and community partners, NJ TRANSIT is helping ensure that our region is safe and secure for visitors and residents alike."

"For me, the World Cup is about bringing people together," said former professional soccer player and current MLS and Apple TV analyst Bradley Wright-Phillips. "That's why I'm proud to partner with NJ TRANSIT to help ensure fans, families, players, and visitors can travel safely and confidently across New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. When transportation is secure and seamless, everyone can focus on enjoying the fanfests, the matches, and the beauty of the game."

"At its heart, the World Cup is about shared experiences and connecting communities," said U.S. Men's National Team member and Athlete Ambassador Sergiño Dest. "I'm proud to work alongside NJ TRANSIT to support smooth, reliable travel across New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia-so fans, families, players, and visitors can concentrate on the excitement, the atmosphere, and the game itself."

"Attending the FIFA World Cup matches and fan events will be such an exciting experience," said Seton Hall University Athletic Director Bryan Felt. "We are honored to have a partnership with NJ TRANSIT and our Seton Hall student-athletes to help promote safe travel to the games for all fans within the NY/NJ and Philadelphia areas."

NJ TRANSIT's "Safe Passage" initiative will strengthen public safety and awareness through expanded on-site activations at major rail hubs, bus terminals, and key event transportation corridors. The campaign is a collaboration between NJ TRANSIT, the New Jersey Transit Police Department (NJTPD) and the New Jersey Transit Police Department's Office of Emergency Management (OEM). "Safe Passage" delivers targeted, event-specific safety reminders in transit hubs serving MetLife Stadium and FIFA FANFEST to reach large, diverse audiences. It will also enhance digital and mobile reporting pathways, making it easier for tourists and international visitors to report concerns. This initiative is further reinforced through coordination with federal, state, and international partners to address elevated safety risks associated with global sporting events.

Other aspects of "Safe Passage" include:

• Pop-up micro-campaigns for high-traffic dates.
• Billboards, transit shelter ads, station signage emphasizing protection, vigilance, and help-seeking options.
• Increased multilingual directional signage at choke points for global audiences.
• Additional victim-support materials targeted at moments of potential separation from traffickers.

Additionally, the NJTPD/OEM is collaborating with NJ TRANSIT Human Resources to develop anti-human trafficking training, which will be rolled out in January 2026 to frontline personnel - including, but not limited to - NJTPD officers, Rail, Bus, Light Rail, and Customer Service representatives.

Also - from January through July 2026 - NJ TRANSIT will collaborate with Athlete Ambassadors consisting of members of the United States Men's National Team (USMNT), United States Women's National Team (USWNT), Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), Seton Hall University's Men's and Women's Soccer Teams, and the Matchfit Surf Youth Club Soccer Team to support pre-FIFA and FIFA matches, FanFest, and Watch Parties.

Safe Passage's partnerships with international, local, and youth soccer talent elevates the visibility and credibility of the campaign by aligning with athletes who resonate with audiences locally and globally. These collaborations strengthen relationships with local and government partners by showcasing NJ TRANSIT's proactive, high-impact engagement around major events such as the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The Athlete Ambassadors will actively engage in campaign efforts alongside NJ TRANSIT to promote safe, informed, and respectful travel experiences. They will also amplify awareness by sharing campaign messaging across their own social media platforms, extending the reach and impact of this critical initiative, and reinforcing the collective commitment to safety, courtesy, and accessibility across the transit system.

NJ TRANSIT plays a vital role in the daily lives of millions, providing a unique platform to educate and inform the public about the signs of human trafficking and the importance of vigilance. Through comprehensive training for NJ TRANSIT staff, public awareness campaigns, and partnerships with local, state, and national organizations, NJ TRANSIT is committed to being at the forefront of the fight against human trafficking.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 925,000 weekday trips on 264 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.