SJJPA Restores 7th Daily Gold Runner Round Trip, Improving Inter-City Rail Travel Between Bakersfield and Sacramento

The schedule update brings Gold Runner (formerly San Joaquins) back to the complete pre-2020 schedule for the first time since early 2020.

(December 1 -- Stockton, CA) – The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) announced at its November 21 Board Meeting that the 7th daily round trip will return on December 8, marking the first time since early 2020 that the corridor will run its full pre-pandemic schedule. The restored trip expands travel options for riders moving between Bakersfield, the San Joaquin Valley, and Sacramento.

In March 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp 70% drop in ridership, leading to significant schedule reductions. Service was cut from seven to four daily round trips as travel across the state declined. As conditions improved and demand began to return, SJJPA gradually added back the 5th and 6th round trips.

With stronger equipment availability, Amtrak staffing in place, and final approvals from host railroads secured, SJJPA is now able to restore the 7th round trip. This return gives riders more ways to visit family, reach major destinations, and plan trips around the existing late-night 11:35 p.m. Sacramento arrival and early-morning 6:26 a.m. Sacramento departure.

“Bringing back the seventh daily round-trip marks an important milestone by restoring Gold Runner to full service,” said David Lipari, Interim Executive Director of SJJPA. “Thank you to the support of our passengers and the hard work of our staff, we’re excited to reintroduce this trip and bring the Sacramento train service back. This addition gives travelers greater flexibility and more convenient choices when planning their trips.”

The 7th round trip will operate as in 701 northbound and Train 704 southbound, terminating in Sacramento in the north and Bakersfield in the south.

In November, SJJPA introduced the new Gold Runner brand for the rail service and Thruway Bus network. Adopted after focused outreach and input from riders, the brand supports a unified identity and highlights the broad reach of the Thruway Bus system, which plays a major part in connecting communities across the corridor.

As SJJPA closes out the year, the return of the 7th daily round trip reflects a steady rebuild of the service and strengthens access for communities from Bakersfield to Sacramento.

The full schedule will be available prior to the launch of the seventh daily round-trip.