NJ Transit Launches FIFA World Cup Safe Passage Campaign to Prepare Riders for Surge in International Visitors
As international visitors begin arriving in the United States for the FIFA World Cup, NJ Transit has officially launched its Safe Passage public awareness campaign, a comprehensive initiative designed to keep riders safe, prepared, and informed during one of the largest sporting events ever hosted in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area.
NJ Transit, one of the largest public transportation systems in the country, plays a critical role in moving fans between New York-area venues, hotels, airports, and entertainment districts. With hundreds of thousands of international visitors expected to use the transit system over the course of the tournament, officials have ramped up safety staffing, communications, and rider education efforts.
The Safe Passage campaign was officially launched in January 2026 in partnership with the NJ Transit Police Department, the Office of Emergency Management, and regional stakeholders. The initiative brings together multiple agencies with the shared goal of ensuring that the tournament period goes smoothly for riders, workers, and communities throughout the transit network.
A key element of the campaign is a focus on human trafficking awareness. NJ Transit and its partners have specifically trained staff to recognize potential signs of exploitation, as major international events can sometimes create conditions that traffickers attempt to exploit due to the large movement of unfamiliar people through transportation hubs.
Riders are being encouraged to report anything that seems suspicious to the NJ Transit Police Department’s emergency tip line. The agency has also provided information about the National Human Trafficking Hotline and the New Jersey Human Trafficking Hotline, connecting potential victims or witnesses to appropriate resources.
Beyond trafficking awareness, Safe Passage addresses rider safety more broadly, including guidelines for crowded platforms and trains, instructions for international visitors unfamiliar with the transit system, and clear communication about which lines and stations will serve World Cup venues and fan zones.
NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri, who has been leading the agency since early 2025, has prioritized improving service reliability and customer experience as key goals of his tenure. The World Cup represents both a major operational challenge and a major opportunity to showcase the system’s capabilities to a global audience.
Local and regional law enforcement agencies are coordinating closely with NJ Transit Police throughout the tournament period. Additional officers have been deployed to key stations, and plainclothes personnel are operating in high-traffic areas to address any security concerns quickly.
Neighboring Amtrak and Metro-North have also coordinated with NJ Transit to ensure seamless connections for visitors traveling across the region. Transit officials have urged fans to plan trips in advance, allow extra travel time, and check real-time service updates through the official NJ Transit app and website.
Sources
- NJ Transit – Safe Passage Campaign
- NJ Transit Police Department
- National Human Trafficking Hotline
