NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin Corbett signed a pledge Jan. 7 in Newark marking the agency’s commitment to ending human trafficking.

That Leaders Against Human Trafficking pledge is part of a U.S. Department of Transportation-led partnership with agencies across the country.

For its part, NJ Transit launched a system-wide anti human-trafficking awareness campaign.

The introduction also comes ahead of high-profile events in the coming months and year, including the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 this summer and FIFA World Cup 2026 next summer at MetLife Stadium. Events of that scale – with an influx of visitors and heightened activity – increase opportunities for human trafficking.

The theme of the campaign is, “Human trafficking isn’t always easy to spot.” It aims to educate the public about how to best intervene. The promotion encourages NJ Transit riders to report suspected human trafficking incident. It also provides support for potentially trafficked individuals.

The human trafficking efforts come as part of NJ Transit’s existing RIDE KIND campaign. The new roll out marks a collaboration between the agency, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and the New Jersey Transit Police Department.

Key features of the campaign include:

• “STALLS FOR SAFETY” stickers placed inside bathroom stall doors throughout the NJ Transit system
• Messaging displayed across various means, such as on station digital monitors as well as printed posters placed in vehicles, stations and on NJ Transit social media pages
• Two specially wrapped buses will operate statewide throughout January, National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
• Will run in English and Spanish with options for digital copy in other languages

“By partnering with the USDOT and transportation agencies across the country, our collective efforts will help bring us closer to the goal of eliminating human trafficking,” said Corbett, who will step down Jan. 15. Kris Kolluri will succeed him in the leadership post. “As New Jersey prepares to welcome visitors from around the world for the FIFA tournaments in 2025 and 2026 – NJ Transit is heightening our proactive measures designed to protect both visitors and residents to ensure these events are as safe and secure as they are memorable.”

Attorney General Matthew Platkin said that too often, someone who suspects human trafficking does not know how to get help.

“This campaign complements an initiative my office launched last year, where posters with information on law enforcement and victim-support resources are placed in bathroom stalls,” said Platkin. “These posters target moments when a victim is likely separated from a trafficker and can get help. The NJ Transit initiative being announced today further ensures that our residents and visitors are safe from exploitation and victimization.”

New Jersey Transit Police Chief Christopher Trucillo stressed that while this is a horrific worldwide problem, it occurs closer to home more than many people realize.

“It’s an issue we take seriously and signing this pledge demonstrates our commitment to not only keeping our customers safe, but to providing resources to those in immediate need of help.”