NJ TRANSIT is once again celebrating Autism Acceptance Month in a meaningful and inclusive way. This April, train stations across the NJ TRANSIT system will feature special announcements recorded by neurodiverse children. These heartfelt messages serve not only to honor the month but also to amplify the voices of children with autism, showcasing their connection to public transit and their ability to meaningfully participate in their communities.
In addition to the recorded announcements, NJ TRANSIT is enhancing its digital tools to better serve neurodivergent riders. One major improvement is being made to the MagnusCards travel app – a free digital life skills application designed for individuals with autism and other cognitive differences. This year, NJ TRANSIT and Magnusmode are introducing new features in the app, including a reward system called MagnusBadges. These digital badges provide motivation and positive reinforcement as users complete various learning modules within the app. This enhancement makes transit skills training more engaging and interactive, especially for young riders.
The celebration doesn’t stop there. NJ TRANSIT is also unveiling new vehicle wraps to mark the occasion. Two buses and one locomotive have been wrapped with eye-catching, meaningful designs to promote acceptance and awareness. Notably, the artwork on one of the buses features original drawings created by neurodiverse children from around the state, transforming everyday transit vehicles into moving messages of inclusion. These visual symbols of diversity and creativity travel through communities, reminding everyone of the value and beauty of differences.
“NJ TRANSIT is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming transit system that reflects the diverse communities we serve,” said NJDOT Commissioner & NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Fran O’Connor. “Through initiatives like the Autism Acceptance Month bus and locomotive wrap, as well as our ongoing partnership with Happy Hour 4 Kids and Magnusmode, we are proud to recognize neurodiversity and create meaningful experiences for all riders.”
“NJ TRANSIT is proud to support Autism Acceptance Month by fostering meaningful connections between the neurodiverse community and public transit,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri. “Through partnerships with organizations like Happy Hour 4 Kids, we continue our commitment to making our system accessible and welcoming to all.”
““NJ TRANSIT holds a special place in the hearts of New Jersey children with autism who love trains and buses. Today, NJ TRANSIT will show these kids how much that bond means to them through their participation in the Autism Transit Project. This is the third year in a row NJ TRANSIT is participating in the project and are joined by major transit agencies across the country, including BART, MARTA, MTA, MBTA, Maryland MTA, WMATA, and the CTA,” said Jonathan Trichter, founder of special needs schools and the creator of the Autism Transit Project. “These children learn how to connect with others through their love of transit. When language doesn’t come naturally, they grab onto the announcements they hear in the place they love and use that language as building blocks for communicating.”
“NJ Transit continues to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to accessibility,” said Magnusmode Founder and CEO Nadia Hamilton, “Now in our third year of partnership, we are excited to introduce NJ Transit badges to further engage autistic and neurodivergent users to develop transit skills. Introducing this gaming element is exciting, together we are building powerful and innovative tools to empower riders of all abilities!”
As part of a continued partnership with Happy Hour 4 Kids and the Autism Transit Project, local neurodiverse children were once again invited to record station announcements. These announcements are played throughout the NJ TRANSIT system during April, creating a space for young voices to be heard and celebrated. Many of the children participating were recruited from the public, while others are part of NJ TRANSIT employees’ families. The program fosters a sense of community, belonging, and pride among both the children and their families.
The sample announcements reflect the spirit of inclusion:
“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.”
These simple, yet powerful messages not only help travelers navigate the system but also offer a touching reminder of the diverse voices that make up our world.
The MagnusCards app, tailored to autistic and neurodiverse individuals, continues to evolve. Now, users can earn MagnusBadges as they engage with Card Decks, which are visual and interactive guides for various life skills. By adding this new gamification element, NJ TRANSIT makes learning public transportation procedures more dynamic and motivating. Users are even able to share their badge achievements on social media, further reinforcing a sense of accomplishment.
MagnusCards® by Magnusmode offers Card Decks for everyday tasks such as riding the bus, shopping, brushing teeth, and more. Each card set includes visual instructions, helpful sounds, and now, the exciting addition of digital rewards. The app is available for free in both English and Spanish on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
In collaboration with Magnusmode, NJ TRANSIT has developed fifteen exclusive Card Decks that cover essential transit tasks. From learning how to pay a fare to understanding how to transfer between services, these decks are a critical tool for helping neurodivergent individuals gain confidence and independence. NJ TRANSIT continues to lead the way in making public transportation more accessible through innovation and empathy.
The Autism Acceptance Month bus wraps are not just visually stunning—they’re deeply personal. This year, each letter in the phrases “AUTISM” and “CELEBRATING DIFFERENCES” featured on the buses was drawn by a neurodivergent child. These individual pieces of artwork were adapted by a NJ TRANSIT graphic designer into a cohesive, moving tribute to creativity and neurodiversity.
The inclusion of the infinity symbol in the specially wrapped locomotive is also a powerful statement. This symbol, often associated with autism acceptance, will now have a long-term presence in NJ TRANSIT’s rail system, signaling the agency’s enduring dedication to inclusion. It’s a meaningful way to celebrate the spectrum of human experiences and promote greater understanding across communities.
Happy Hour 4 Kids generously sponsored both the bus and locomotive wraps, helping bring this project to life and spread its positive message across the state.
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