NJ TRANSIT Wins National Award for Safety Innovation
NJ TRANSIT receives U.S. DOT award for 2025 anti-human trafficking campaign
NJ TRANSIT Wins Award for Anti-Trafficking Work
NJ TRANSIT received national recognition from the U.S. Department of Transportation for its 2025 anti-human trafficking campaign, officials announced Thursday. The award honors the agency's efforts to combat trafficking through education and awareness initiatives across its network serving 5,325 square miles in New Jersey and neighboring states. Daniel Corbett, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, said the recognition reflects the agency's commitment to safety beyond traditional transit operations.
Transportation hubs have been identified as high-risk locations for trafficking activity, making transit agencies key partners in prevention efforts, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. More than 27,000 human trafficking cases were reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline in 2023, demonstrating the scale of the issue. The campaign was implemented in 2025 as part of broader federal efforts to engage the transportation sector in anti-trafficking work. NJ TRANSIT serves an average of 944,000 weekday passengers across bus, rail and light rail services.
The campaign included awareness and education initiatives across NJ TRANSIT's network, though officials didn't detail specific components in the announcement. Jim Smith, Media Relations Manager, said the effort represents a comprehensive approach to raising awareness among employees, customers and the public. Specific metrics on campaign reach and impact weren't included in the announcement. Officials said transportation agencies have a unique responsibility and opportunity to help identify and prevent trafficking crimes.
The award was announced December 5, though officials didn't specify when the campaign launched or provide details about the recognition program. January is designated as National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, when transit agencies typically launch or highlight anti-trafficking initiatives. The U.S. Department of Transportation established the Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking initiative in 2017, creating a framework for agencies to participate in prevention efforts.
The campaign joins similar efforts by other major transit systems including Amtrak, which has trained over 20,000 employees to recognize trafficking signs, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York. Officials said the initiative demonstrates NJ TRANSIT's role in protecting vulnerable populations beyond moving passengers. The National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 serves as the primary resource for reporting suspected trafficking. Riders can check real-time service information and safety updates through Moovit.
