Amtrak Train That Connects Bay Area To Central Valley Rebrands As “Gold Runner,” Marking New Era For Train Line

An Amtrak train that connects the Bay Area with the Central Valley has a new name, the agency that operates the system said this week. The Amtrak San Joaquins passenger rail service is now known as the Gold Runner, according to the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority. “Gold Runner signals a bold new era for intercity passenger rail and bus service in California’s heartland, an identity that honors the past while moving confidently toward the future,” SJJPA said in a release. Co-managed by the SJJPA and Amtrak, the intercity train travels daily between the San Francisco Bay Area and Bakersfield, stopping at 18 stations along a 365-mile route primarily through California’s Central Valley.

According to the SJJPA, it’s the nation’s sixth-most popular Amtrak route. Along with a new name reflecting the state’s “golden” hills, the train features new branding with yellow, blue and purple wraps on its rail cars. The rebrand also applies to the system’s Thruway buses, which serve 135 cities and towns across the state. SJJPA Interim Executive Director David Lipari said the rebrand comes at an important time for the state’s public transit system. The agency plans to expand its services in coordination with California’s broader rail strategy — a strategy that includes the California High-Speed Rail Project that will connect the Bay Area to Los Angeles and Anaheim via the Central Valley. “This new identity captures the energy and optimism of our region while positioning us for the future of passenger rail and intercity bus service. It reflects the spirit of partnership, innovation, and service that defines everything we do.”