Commuters across the Garden State may notice some inspiring new voices during their morning travels this April. NJ TRANSIT has officially launched its Autism Acceptance Month initiative, featuring a heartwarming collaboration that puts neurodiverse children at the center of the state’s transit experience.
In partnership with the Autism Transit Project, local children on the autism spectrum—including those from the families of NJ TRANSIT employees—have recorded public address announcements that are being broadcast at train stations system-wide.
The initiative highlights a unique phenomenon within the neurodiverse community: a deep, often profound affinity for trains and transit engineering. For many children with autism, the rhythmic nature and clear signaling of public transit provide a sense of comfort and fascination.
“Children with autism often come to language differently than neurotypical kids,” Jonathan Trichter, founder of the Autism Transit Project said. “It is not at all uncommon for the first full sentence an autistic child utters to be something like, ‘Stand clear of the closing doors please!’” Trichter noted that the best part of the project is watching the children’s reactions when they hear their own voices ringing out across the platforms, reminding the public that while these kids may be different, they are “no less.”
Beyond the audio announcements, NJ TRANSIT has “wrapped” a locomotive and two buses in vibrant autism acceptance messaging. Notably, the design for one of the buses was a community effort, created by local neurodiverse children.
“NJ TRANSIT is committed to working with partners… to help elevate awareness and understanding for individuals on the autism spectrum,” NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri said. “Together, we are ensuring that the NJ TRANSIT travel experience is accessible and welcoming for all.”
The agency is also promoting practical resources to help neurodiverse riders navigate the system with confidence:
- MagnusCards App: A digital life-skills tool that provides step-by-step visual “Card Decks” to help individuals with cognitive special needs navigate the transit system independently.
- NJ TRANSIT Mobile App: Children like Joseph and Jack recorded messages encouraging riders to download the app for real-time trip updates and easy ticketing.
- New Web Resource: A dedicated site at njtransit.com/autism offers travel tips and a community calendar where the public can submit accessible events via email at [email protected].
