NJ TRANSIT RECOGNIZES AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH

Neurodiverse Children Record Station PA Announcements, Locomotive and Two Buses Wrapped in Acceptance Messaging; MagnusCards App Continues To Assist Neurodiverse Customers

April 8, 2026

NEWARK, NJ – NJ TRANSIT is recognizing Autism Acceptance Month by featuring announcements recorded by neurodiverse children that will be played at train stations across the NJ TRANSIT system throughout the month of April. Two buses and a locomotive have been wrapped in special messaging to promote autism acceptance.  The design on one of the buses was created by local neurodiverse children. NJ TRANSIT is also continuing to offer the MagnusCards travel app – a digital life skills app for neurodiverse individuals – which launched in 2022. 

“NJ TRANSIT is committed to working with partners like the Autism Transit Project to help elevate awareness and understanding for individuals on the autism spectrum,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri. “Together, we are ensuring that the NJ TRANSIT travel experience is accessible and welcoming for all.” 

“Children with Autism often come to language differently than neurotypical kids. They latch on to short phrases they focus on in places they love. 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!’ Such announcements consequently have a deeper meaning for them and their families,” said Founder of the Autism Transit Project Jonathan Trichter. “NJ TRANSIT is celebrating a very special bond they have with children on the spectrum. And these kids get to show the rest of us that, while they may be different, they are similar and no less."

NJ TRANSIT has also unveiled a new website with resources and travel tips at njtransit.com/autism. Members of the public can submit Autism Acceptance events throughout the year which are accessible by an NJ TRANSIT service by emailing [email protected]. The events will be posted on the site.

Autism Transit Project Station Announcements:

Through a partnership with the Autism Transit Project, local neurodiverse children have once again recorded train station announcements that will be played throughout the system for Autism Acceptance Month in April. Children have been recruited from the public as well as from NJ TRANSIT employees’ families.  NJ TRANSIT is excited to honor the special relationship with the neurodiverse community in New Jersey. 

Sample announcements include:

"Hi, my name is ________ and as part of Autism Acceptance Month, I would like to welcome you aboard NJ TRANSIT" or "Please watch the gap while boarding the train."

For video and audio of the children recording the announcements and insight from Autism Transit Project founder Jonathan Trichter, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3rS82p-DbA

MagnusCards App:

NJ TRANSIT MagnusCards App, which is a travel aid that is tailored to autistic and neurodiverse individuals, features a rewards system called MagnusBadges. MagnusBadges are digital badges that are earned by viewing Card Decks. Users can also share their progress on social media. The MagnusCards are available in English and Spanish.

MagnusCards® by Magnusmode is a free app with Card Decks to help autistic and neurodiverse persons learn and master life skills, such as using public transportation, shopping, personal care and more. The app features dozens of Card Decks, called MagnusCards, that use simple and clear instructions, along with pictures, sounds and rewards to make learning fun and engaging. 

NJ TRANSIT has collaborated with Magnusmode to create fifteen exclusive NJ TRANSIT MagnusCard decks, covering various aspects of using NJ TRANSIT’s bus, light rail and rail services.

The MagnusCards mobile app is available in Apple App Store & Google Play Store.

Bus and Locomotive Wraps:

The specially wrapped buses feature graphics that incorporate actual drawings and art submissions from neurodivergent children from around the region. Each letter of the “AUTISM” and “CELEBRATE DIFFERENCES” was drawn by one of the participating children and then adapted into the bus graphics wrap by a NJ TRANSIT graphic designer. 

In addition to the bus wrap, NJ TRANSIT also highlighted its specially wrapped locomotive which incorporates the infinity symbol. The infinity symbol is often used to represent autism, particularly when advocating for acceptance and inclusion. The locomotive design element, which has been operating on the railroad the past year, will be a staple in the rail system for years to come. 

Both the bus wrap and the locomotive wrap were graciously and generously sponsored by the Autism Transit Project. To learn more about the Autism Transit Project, please visit https://autismtransitproject.com/.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 925,000 weekday trips on 264 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.