The mission of the New Jersey Travel Independence Program (NJTIP) is to increase the independence and self-sufficiency of people with disabilities, older adults and others by empowering them to use the public transit system safely and independently. In 2013 NJTIP merged with the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center (VTC), a national leader in transportation research and education and the nucleus of transportation-related policy research, training and education at Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.

What is Travel Instruction?

Travel Instruction is a spectrum of services meant to teach safe independent travel skills on public transit: the bus, train, light rail, county and private systems. NJTIP customers learn how to read bus and train schedules; plan their trips; pay their fares; and take safety precautions.

After finishing training, our customers enjoy traveling on their own to go to work, school and medical appointments and to visit family and friends.

NJTIP Travel Instructors are seasoned professionals with experience in teaching, special education and assisting individuals with special needs.

Travel Instruction Services Offered by NJTIP:

• NOW AVAILABLE: Remote Instruction

Given social distancing and stay-at-home orders, NJTIP @ Rutgers offers personalized online travel training for individuals, along with transit orientations with “virtual field trips” for schools and agencies.  Training is available on multiple platforms.  Contact us for more information!

• One-on-One Travel Instruction

NJTIP One-on-One travel pairs each customer with a Travel Instructor. The instructor teaches travel skills by riding on the bus or train with the customer until the customer is ready to travel independently.

The only cost to customers during training is paying their own fares. Each graduate receives a free one-month bus pass.

One-on-One services are available to customers who have applied to Access Link and live in Bergen, Camden, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, and Union Counties, except for those with visual impairments.

• Group Travel Instruction

Our Small Group Travel Instruction Familiarization & Orientation programs benefit senior citizens and people with disabilities who do not need intensive one-on-one training and enjoy the camaraderie of learning in a group setting.

Groups participate in classes and escorted trips to popular local destinations such as shopping malls, supermarkets, and transit hubs.

• Connect-to-Transit Seminars

NJTIP Travel Instructors teach professionals and volunteers from social service agencies, schools, and senior residences how to become informed advocates for public transportation, so they can better assist their clients, students, and residents with navigating the public transportation network.

• In-School Travel Instruction

NJTIP has developed classroom curriculum for students in high school transition programs. NJTIP Travel Instructors teach weekly classes at each school and lead monthly field trips for practical experience.

We also teach traffic safety skills and bus familiarization for students who are not ready for independent travel.

Age Groups	Children Adolescents Adults Seniors
Community Services	Basic Needs / Assistance Accepts Donations of Goods Transportation Community Community Service Volunteer Opportunities Employment / Training Life Skills Training Preparing for Adulthood Family & Support Services Caregiving Divorce & Co-Parenting Family Support Grandparenting Parenting & Caregiving
Health Services	Crisis / Safety Crisis / Safety / Prevention Emergency Preparedness

Last Updated: 10/13/25