NJTIP at Rutgers

We’re proud to share that Jeffrey Dennis, Senior Travel Instructor at NJTIP @ Rutgers (VTC), recently co-presented “Partners in Independence: Engaging Families, Guardians, and Educators” with Judy Shanley, Easterseals to over 100 attendees nationwide in a webinar hosted by the Association of Travel Instruction (ATI) and Easterseals 👏

During the session, they highlighted the critical role that family engagement, school collaboration, and strong support systems play in supporting individuals with disabilities to achieve independent travel goals.

The presentation emphasized a key takeaway:
💡 Independent travel is built through collaboration.

👨‍👩‍👧 Families and Schools🏫 influence opportunity and consistency
🧭 Trainers influence skill development

Together, they create a pathway toward long-term independence 🚀

Through real-world success stories and practical tools, attendees gained insight into how communication 🤝, trust 🔑, and partnership can strengthen travel training outcomes and expand community mobility.

A big thank you to ATI and Easterseals, along with Meagan Greathouse (ATI) and Kristi McLaughlin (Easterseals), for hosting and organizing this impactful session 🙌

We are proud of the work being done by our NJTIP team to advance mobility, independence, and opportunity for people with disabilities and older adults.

Empowering Mobility: The NJTIP Passaic STEP Paterson Success Story

The NJTIP Passaic STEP (Senior Transportation and Engagement Program) continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors. Most recently, we had the pleasure of collaborating with the vibrant community at the Riverside Vets Recreation Center in Paterson. Funded by the NJ Department of Human Services – Division on Aging, this initiative is dedicated to helping older adults navigate mobility challenges with ease. By providing the tools and confidence needed to use public transit, NJTIP empowers our Seniors to reclaim their independence—ensuring they can visit friends, attend appointments, and stay active in their communities on their own terms.

Our recent "Transit 101" session truly highlighted the community's enthusiasm for learning, with 35 engaged participants joining us to master the fundamentals of safe travel. We then took that knowledge on the road with a guided bus trip to Glen Rock. While we initially planned 10 participants, we were thrilled to welcome 13 seniors who were eager to put their skills into practice! From navigating boarding procedures to managing real-world logistics, these travelers moved beyond the classroom and into the world of confident transit. We are grateful to the Division on Aging for covering fares and providing a lunch stipend, which turned the day into a wonderful social and learning experience.

The heart of NJTIP @ Rutgers lies in our ability to bridge the gap between complex transit systems and the people who rely on them most. As part of the Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University, we provide much more than simple directions; we offer a specialized, supportive approach that honors the unique experiences of every senior. Looking ahead, NJTIP @ Rutgers will remain a steadfast resource for the Paterson older adult community, ensuring that Seniors have a partner to help guide them toward a safer, more independent, and more connected future.

Learning on the Go! 💡

NJTIP recently supported Maria P. in building the skills and confidence to travel independently to her vocational program using public transit. 🎉

Braving chilly temperatures and snowy conditions, Maria successfully learned how to navigate the NJ TRANSIT train safely—and continues to travel with confidence every day. ❄️💪

👏 Congratulations, Maria, on this incredible achievement. Wishing you continued safe and successful travels!

👉 Be part of the journey to independence. NJTIP works with agencies, schools, and organizations to provide customized travel training that expands access to education, employment, and community life.

Learn more: njtip.rutgers.edu

Connect with us: [email protected].

Real World. Real Weather. Real Independence. ⛈️❄️

Think a little NJ rain or snow stops us? Think again! 💪

At NJTIP @ Rutgers, we know that life doesn’t stop because the clouds roll in or the temperature drops. Whether it’s a doctor’s appointment, a shift at work, or a trip to see family, our riders have places to be—and we’re right there beside them to make sure they get there.

We teach the skills to navigate Public Transit in ANY condition: ☔️ Mastering the umbrella while boarding the bus. ❄️ Navigating snowy platforms safely. 🌬️ Staying warm and confident while waiting for the train 🚂.

Independence isn't just for sunny days. It’s for every day. We’re proud to be the "boots-on-the-ground" team, making sure NJ’s seniors and people with disabilities can get exactly where they need to go—rain, shine, or slush! 🥾🚌 Our dedicated travel trainers don't just teach transit routes; we teach resilience. 💪

Independence is Unstoppable. So are we. ⚡️

🚍✨ Expanding Mobility in Middlesex County! ✨🚍
In summer and fall 2025, NJTIP @ Rutgers provided travel training across Middlesex County thanks to support from Keep Middlesex Moving Inc. From Sayreville to New Brunswick to Highland Park, we helped People with Disabilities and Older Adults gain confidence and independence on public transit. 💙🚌

🌞 Summer Highlights
• PAL Program, Sayreville & Bombers Beyond Café students
• NJ TRANSIT bus demos
• Small group trips to New Brunswick
• MyBus & trip-planning practice

🍂 Fall Highlights
• Middlesex College Adult Transition Program
• Students received NJ TRANSIT Fare Pay Cards
• Classroom training + community outings

👵👴 Older Adults
• Workshop at Highland Park Senior Center
• Trip planning, safety & accessibility

🤝 Teamwork Makes It Possible
Huge thanks to KMM’s Connor Wallace & Julia Jarvis and NJTIP’s Jeffrey Dennis & Linda Rapacki for supporting every participant.



🌟 Mobility is opportunity — we're proud to help open doors.
🚍💛🗺️

NJTIP @ Rutgers recently partnered with NuView Academy for an exciting travel training experience! Students learned essential NJ TRANSIT bus features and independent travel skills in the classroom, such as:

✅ The importance of hailing the bus & how and when to do so
✅ Different ways to pay the fare
✅ How to request a stop at the right time

Students then had the opportunity to put their skills into action by riding the NJ TRANSIT bus to Metuchen 🚌, where they practiced safe navigation as they explored the community. The day concluded with a scrumptious lunch at La Rosa’s Pizza 🍕 and a sweet treat 🍩 at Dunkin’ after the return trip. A busy day chock full of learning, practice, and fun!

Interested in partnering with NJTIP or want to learn more? Visit njtip.rutgers.edu or contact us at [email protected].

Diana Stolfo, a 2010 NJTIP graduate, reflects on her journey — from 1:1 travel training to mastering NJ TRANSIT buses and trains independently. She shares her experiences and key takeaways from her training.

Check out the full interview here:

NJTIP @ Rutgers - Diana Stolfo travel training interview In this video, Diana Stolfo shares her experiences from NJTIP @ Rutgers's travel training program. She participated in individualized 1-on-1 travel training ...

👋 Christina Jurlina reflects on her journey with NJTIP @ Rutgers, where she completed personalized 1-on-1 travel training. In this video, she shares what she learned about navigating NJ TRANSIT trains—especially how to get to her local Walmart. Christina proudly graduated from the program in Fall 2024.

🎥 Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qik1CqWPkBw

Learn more about NJTIP @ Rutgers here: https://vtc.rutgers.edu/njtip/

NJTIP @ Rutgers - Christina Jurlina travel training interview In this video, Christina Jurlina shares her experiences in NJTIP @ Rutgers's travel training program and what she learned about taking the NJ TRANSIT train t...

👋 Marcus Wilson, a graduate of the NJTIP @ Rutgers travel training program, shares how the training helped him gain confidence using NJ TRANSIT buses—starting with in-person sessions through the PAL Program in 2019 and continuing with online training during the pandemic.

Check out the video here:

NJTIP @ Rutgers - Marcus Wilson travel training interview In this video, Marcus Wilson shares his experiences in NJTIP @ Rutgers's travel training program and what he learned about the NJ TRANSIT buses.Marcus was a ...