Gold Runner Thruway Bus Study
Introduction
The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (Authority) is responsible for managing, improving, and planning for the future of the Gold Runner Intercity Passenger Rail Service (operated by Amtrak), which runs between Bakersfield in the south and Oakland and Sacramento in the north and connecting Gold Runner passengers to destinations throughout California and into Nevada. The purpose of the Gold Runner Thruway Bus network is to extend the reach of the Gold Runner to communities with limited or no intercity rail service. This large Thruway Bus network is integral to the success of the Gold Runner service, with a significant portion of the Gold Runner service’s ridership supported by Thruway Bus connections, as an extension of the rail network to Los Angeles and other major population centers. Gold Runner Thruway buses also connect with (and provide additional ridership to) the state funded Capitol Corridor and Pacific Surfliner intercity passenger rail services.
The Gold Runner Thruway Bus Study is intended to be tactical in nature and focused on delivering specific, feasible, and short-term recommendations for improving the Thruway Bus routes/network. The Gold Runner Thruway Bus Study will be supported by DB E.C.O North America (DB), the Authority’s on-call planning consultant. DB and its staff have supported strategic and technical planning for the Authority for several years. DB will work with Authority staff to make sure they fully understand the Authority’s markets, operations, challenges, as well as performance and strategic goals. DB has assembled a project team to lead this task with specific experience in intercity passenger service in California, as well as with bus operations. DB’s work will be supplemented by Authority staff expertise, historical knowledge, and hands-on experience. As part of the study, public/stakeholder outreach will also be conducted by Authority staff to gain valuable insights. The Study effort will be developed by a Technical Working Group that includes Authority staff from Operations, Passenger Experience and Marketing, Planning, Grants and Programming, and Fiscal departments, as well as representatives from Caltrans.
Initial agency and public outreach to support the Gold Runner Thruway Bus Study will be carried out in early June 2026. Staff presented to the Authority at their July 16, 2026, Board Meeting regarding existing service characteristics and proposed goals for the service, as well as input from initial outreach. Additional agency and public outreach to get input on the Gold Runner Thruway Bus Study Draft Report will be done in late September. Staff expect to request approval of the Final Gold Runner Thruway Bus Study Report at the Authority’s November 20, 2026, Board Meeting and to also discuss Implementation Strategies.
Please see the “Documents” tab below to access the Draft Gold Runner Thruway Bus Study Report currently available for public review and comment. The Authority appreciates public input regarding how the Authority can improve the Gold Runner Thruway Bus routes and the services provided. Please use the “Provide Input on Gold Runner Thruway Bus Services” form below to comment on the draft report, and/or take the short survey below to help us improve our services. Public input will be accepted until the approval of the final Thruway Bus Study Report in November, but the deadline for comments to be included in the staff report for the approval of the Gold Runner Thruway Bus Study Report is October 21, 2026. Staff greatly appreciates receiving comments by October 21 to provide time for any necessary edits to the draft report prior to its submittal for SJJPA Board approval at the November 20, 2026, SJJPA Board Meeting.
