NJ TRANSIT LAUNCHES NEW CUSTOMER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE SAFE BEHAVIOR
“SAFE NJ” Campaign will Remind Customers of Best Practices for a Healthy Travel Environment
July 1, 2020
NEWARK, NJ NJ TRANSIT unveiled a new customer awareness campaign “SAFE NJ” as customers begin to return to the transit system. The “SAFE NJ” campaign will focus on high visibility signage throughout the system to maintain awareness of recommended best practices that ensure the healthiest and safest transit system for all.
The new “SAFE NJ” series reinforces the requirement to wear face coverings, be cognizant of distancing and to help keep stations and vehicles free of discarded Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as used face coverings and gloves.
“The ‘SAFE NJ’ campaign provides simple and clear messaging to our customers to reinforce all of the recommended behaviors that will result in the cleanest and safest travel environment possible,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin Corbett. “There has been no higher priority for me than the health and safety of our customers and employees since the onset of the pandemic, and NJ TRANSIT has been working harder than ever as we prepare for our customers’ return to the system.”
“MASK SAFE NJ” signs will remind customers of Governor Murphy's Executive Order 125, requiring customers and employees to wear face coverings on board NJ TRANSIT buses, rail, and light rail vehicles.
Customers will be urged to remain cognizant of distancing on trains, buses and light rail. “RIDE SAFE NJ” signage will serve as a reminder to promote distancing on board vehicles. The seats nearest the bus operators remain restricted to maintain space between customers and the operator.
Signage will also promote distancing at Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) at major terminals where customer volume is typically higher. “WAIT SAFE NJ” will remind customers to keep their distance from one another while waiting on line to purchase tickets.
NJ TRANSIT: YOUR RIDE TO RECOVERY
NJ TRANSIT recently released recovery guidelines detailing the critical steps being taken to protect customers and employees during the reopening of New Jersey and the region, as we prepare for customers to return to the transit system. These guidelines are also consistent with New Jersey’s “The Road Back” plan.
In addition to NJ TRANSIT taking any and all measures to continue to make the system as safe and possible, the agency is reinforcing a “shared responsibility” approach that relies on customers and employers doing their part as well. The plan focuses on NJ TRANSIT’s commitment to six areas: Service, Cleanliness, Distancing, Communication, Protective Equipment & Public Safety and Screening & Testing.
During the pandemic, NJ TRANSIT has been dedicated to maintaining a clean and safe transit system for all customers and employees. The guidelines include the extensive measures NJ TRANSIT has already taken, will continue to take, and is committed to implementing. In addition to NJ TRANSIT’s responsibilities, the guidelines also provide clear and simple actions that customers and employers should take to contribute to successful mitigation.
Service: NJ TRANSIT will continue to monitor ridership, aligning service to manage capacity in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 125. Throughout our recovery, NJ TRANSIT service levels will be guided by the latest health recommendations and policies. To inform our operational decisions as we prepare for our customers’ return, we have been actively leveraging data, tools and regional information sources to monitor and identify projected trends in ridership and customer behavior. This comprehensive trend analysis will continue throughout the recovery period to ensure our recovery plans will remain flexible, responsive and data-driven.
Changes in service will be announced using all available communications channels, including Twitter, Facebook, the NJ TRANSIT Mobile App and www.njtransit.com
Cleanliness: NJ TRANSIT continues enhanced cleaning efforts to include disinfecting vehicles every 24 hours. The enhanced cleaning and disinfecting regimen in stations will continue and includes additional disinfecting of frequent customer touchpoints such as ticket vending machines, handrails and door handles. Customers are being asked to minimize contact with surfaces and touchpoints and use touchless payment through the NJ TRANSIT Mobile App.
Distancing: Customers should remain cognizant of distancing throughout their entire journey whenever possible. In addition, customers should avoid loud talking or restrict phone conversations until after their trip, as these increase the expulsion range of droplets which may contain the virus.
Employers can also play a significant role by helping flatten the peak travel curves and spread ridership more evenly over the entire service day by encouraging employees to continue to work from home if they can, or stagger work hours and work days.
Personal Protective Equipment and Public Safety: NJ TRANSIT will maintain the requirement for all public-facing employees to wear face coverings at all times when performing their duties. Customers are required to do the same under Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 125, which states that customers must wear face coverings while on public transit vehicles (e.g. buses, trains, light rail vehicles and Access Link vehicles). NJ TRANSIT has extended this requirement to the entire journey to also include all NJ TRANSIT-owned public spaces (e.g. stairs, platforms and stations), regardless of physical distance.
Communication: NJ TRANSIT is launching a “SAFE NJ” signage and messaging campaign, which will include prominent, easy-to-understand graphics and signs throughout stations and vehicles, to provide easy-to-understand instructions to encourage customers to model ideal transit behaviors.
Testing: NJ TRANSIT has made COVID-19 testing available to all employees at several locations throughout north, central and south Jersey. Customers who are feeling symptomatic should seek medical care, including scheduling a COVID-19 test at one of the numerous testing sites throughout the state, and should avoid riding mass transit. New Jersey testing sites are available at covid19.nj.gov.
The complete list of “Your Ride to Recovery” guidelines can be found at www.njtransit.com/recovery.
Travel Advice:
- Before starting your trip, visit njtransit.com for up-to-the-minute service information.
- Customers are encouraged to download or update the NJ TRANSIT mobile app to set up and receive customized service alert information via push notifications. Visit the You Tube video for easy instructions on setting up custom push notifications.
- Stay connected to NJ TRANSIT social media during your commute. Search for rail, bus or light rail-specific Twitter accounts for the best information:
- Sign up for the My Transit alert system on njtransit.com, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone via email or text.
- Allow extra time getting to and from your destination.
- Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.
