NJ TRANSIT OBSERVES NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH WITH IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR CUSTOMERS AND EMPLOYEES

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NEWARK, NJ — NJ TRANSIT is joining with the National Safety Council and numerous other organizations across the country in recognizing National Safety Month during the month of June.   Safety is the utmost priority for the corporation and NJ TRANSIT recognizes that collaboration between the agency and the public is necessary to effectively promote safe choices around the public transportation system. 

“The safety of our customers and employees remains our top priority,” said NJ TRANSIT Interim Executive Director Dennis Martin.  “As we mark National Safety Month, we all should take a brief moment to review some simple ‘do’s and don’ts’ which will further promote a safe environment for our customers and our employees.”

“NJ TRANSIT is taking the message to the streets,’’ said Office of System Safety Chief Gardner Tabon. “The Office of System Safety is reminding employees of safety protocols in many ways; by visiting them at selected work sites, by printing messages on pay stubs and by hanging posters in visible locations. These reminders promote the notion that we all share in the responsibility of staying safe.’’

Rail and Light Rail Safety:

• Never take a short cut along, around or across rail tracks. 
• Only cross railroad tracks in clearly-identified, designated areas where there are lights, signs and grade crossings. 
• Always stand behind the yellow safety line when waiting on the station platform.  Trains can operate on any track, at any time. 
• Always be aware of your surroundings.  Use extra caution when using headphones or using your cell phone near tracks, or while on the station platform.  If you are not listening or paying attention, you may not hear a train approaching.
• Listen to train personnel and watch your steps when boarding and exiting a train. 

Bus Safety:
When waiting for and riding a bus:

• Use designated crosswalks and sidewalks to reach the bus stop.
• Never run after a bus; you may slip and fall, or may be struck by another vehicle.
• Wait for the bus at designated stops and stand two to three feet from the curb.
• Hold handrails while boarding the bus.
• When exiting, do not cross in front of the bus.  Wait for the bus to pull away, walk to the nearest crosswalk, and look both ways before crossing.      

NJ TRANSIT will be hosting several employee safety day events at various work sites to remind employees of the importance of safety protocols. As part of the month-long program, there will also be an increase in safety advertising and handouts onboard bus, rail and light rail vehicles.

In April 2016, Tabon was appointed by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx to serve on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Northeast Corridor Safety Committee. This committee serves as an advisory body to the Department and is responsible for evaluating proposed safety improvements on the NEC main line and providing information, advice and recommendations on policy initiatives.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 938,500 weekday trips on 257 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 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.