NJ program helps people with disabilities gain independence through public transit
The New Jersey Travel Independence Program teaches riders how to safely navigate buses and trains, giving participants the confidence to get to work, school and everyday activities on their own.
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For many people, riding the bus is just part of the daily routine. But for Verona resident Hunter Tramel, it's a symbol of something much bigger — independence.
Each weekday after work, Tramel heads to a bus stop on Bloomfield Avenue in Glen Ridge and catches NJ Transit Bus 29 home to Verona. The ride takes about 15 minutes, but getting to this point took much longer.
Tramel, who has a learning disability, says anxiety once kept him from using public transportation on his own.
Without the confidence to ride the bus, he often relied on expensive rideshare services or long walks to get where he needed to go.
"I had taken Ubers, which cost a lot of money, or walked places and would be late, and it would affect my work and college," Tramel said.
Everything changed after he enrolled in the New Jersey Travel Independence Program.
The free program helps older adults and people with disabilities learn how to travel safely and confidently using public transportation. Participants receive one-on-one instruction on everything from planning trips and reading bus schedules to paying fares, using transit apps and preparing for unexpected situations.
For Tramel, those lessons made all the difference.
"They taught me about the app, where to sit, how to know the different landmarks before I get off, when to press the stop button, and the app even tells you how many stops are left," he said.
Now, Tramel says he can travel to work, college, the grocery store and spend time with friends without depending on anyone else for a ride.
"It gives me the freedom to do things more independently," he said. "Now I'm able to go to work by myself and come back home whenever I want. I'm able to go to college, go to the grocery store and hang out with friends."
While public transportation still requires planning, Tramel says the independence it provides is worth it.
"You have to plan ahead, but without having to rely on others to drive you or come pick you up for a specific price like Uber. It's way better."
For Tramel, every bus ride is more than just a commute — it's another step toward living life on his own terms.
