NJ TRANSIT Launches “Safe Passage” Campaign with Athlete Ambassadors

In anticipation of an influx of visitors for the 2026 World Cup, NJ TRANSIT has launched “Safe Passage” to strengthen public safety and combat human trafficking. The campaign was unveiled by NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kris Kolluri, joined by New Jersey Transit Police Department Chief Christopher Trucillo and former professional soccer star Bradley Wright-Phillips.

The 2026 campaign includes messages from athlete ambassadors, such as U.S. Men’s National Team player Sergino Dest and Seton Hall University women’s soccer player Danni Hennessy. The US Men’s National Team, US Women’s National Team, Major League Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League, Seton Hall University’s men’s and women’s soccer teams, and the Matchfit Surf Youth Club Soccer Team have collaborated to amplify the message to report concerns.

“Safe Passage” is an evolution of the agency’s 2025 initiative, “Human Trafficking Isn’t Always Easy to Spot.” That campaign recently earned NJ TRANSIT the USDOT’s 2025 Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award. Aspects of the 2026 campaign include:

Athlete ambassadors
Billboards, transit shelter ads, and 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
Micro-campaigns for high-traffic dates
Anti-human trafficking training for frontline personnel

As explained on the campaign website, “public transportation systems across the United States play an important role in identifying and reporting potential human trafficking concerns. According to federal agencies, tips often come from everyday observations made by members of the public.” While most riders will never encounter a trafficking situation, awareness helps ensure that concerns are identified early and handled by trained professionals.

By leveraging its extensive reach across the state’s rail, bus, and light rail networks, NJ TRANSIT aims to ensure that the transit system remains a “Safe Passage” for all who travel during this historic sporting year.