Ricardo Says...

A Better Ride Starts With All of Us. 

NJ TRANSIT moves hundreds of thousands of people every day. Trains, buses, light rail, and Access Link — they all work better when riders look out for one another. Ricardo Says… is NJ TRANSIT's courtesy campaign: simple reminders, a little New Jersey personality, and one very memorable bull.

Who Is Ricardo?

The Story

In December 2023, a Texas longhorn steer wandered onto the tracks near Newark Penn Station during the morning rush hour, briefly disrupting rail service and capturing national attention. He was safely rescued and relocated to Skylands Animal Sanctuary, where he now lives permanently.

Visit Skylands Animal Sanctuary to meet Ricardo →

The Icon

What could have been a stressful morning became a uniquely New Jersey story: chaotic, memorable, resilient, and ultimately heartwarming. Ricardo quickly became a local icon — and a natural reminder that public transit works best when people stay calm, patient, and look out for one another. He was a natural fit for the job.

Ricardo Says…

“Let riders off before boarding.”

“Keep the aisles clear — no bull.”

“Headphones in. Volume down.”

“Move to the center — there’s more room than you think.”

“Offer your seat when someone needs it.”

Why It Matters

Small actions make a real difference across the whole system. Letting riders exit before boarding, keeping aisles and doorways clear, moving toward the center of the car or back of the bus — these aren't just polite habits. They reduce crowding, speed up boarding, improve safety, and make the ride better for everyone on board.

For riders who depend on accessible transit services — including Access Link customers — courtesy means something more. Patience and awareness help ensure that people who need extra time or space can travel with independence and dignity. That responsibility belongs to all of us.

Courtesy During Major Events

Large events bring significant increases in ridership, visitors, and congestion across the transit network. During events like the FIFA World Cup 2026™, courtesy isn’t just considerate — it becomes part of how the system performs.

Simple actions help the whole system move:

  • Allow riders to exit before you board
  • Keep aisles, doorways, and platform edges clear
  • Follow staff instructions promptly
  • Lower noise levels in crowded spaces
  • Be patient during crowd movement — everyone is trying to get somewhere

Every rider plays a role in helping the system run safely and efficiently for residents and visitors alike.

Courtesy and Safety Go Hand in Hand

Orderly boarding, clear aisles, awareness of your surroundings, and respectful behavior toward fellow riders and transit personnel all contribute to a safer environment on trains, buses, and platforms. The Ricardo Says… campaign is part of NJ TRANSIT’s broader commitment to safety culture — because a calmer, more considerate system is a safer one.

The campaign supports Governor Mikie Sherrill’s focus on improving customer experience and strengthening confidence in public transportation across New Jersey.

See Something? Say Something.

Courtesy and safety go hand in hand — and if something doesn’t look right, saying something is the most important thing you can do. Report suspicious activity or safety concerns directly to NJ TRANSIT Police:

NJ TRANSIT Police are on patrol across trains, buses, stations, and platforms 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more at police.njtransit.com

One Transit System. One Shared Ride.

Whether you ride every day or you’re visiting New Jersey for the first time, we all share the responsibility of making public transit work better — together.

Ricardo says... “Be kind. Be aware. No bull.”

Follow NJ TRANSIT and share Ricardo’s rules with your fellow riders.