Amtrak San Joaquins Becomes Gold Runner, Marking a New Era for California Passenger Rail

In an exciting new chapter for California’s transportation network, the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) announced that, starting November 3, 2025, Amtrak San Joaquins Becomes Gold Runner. This rebranding marks a major milestone in the state’s efforts to modernize and expand its intercity travel options. The change reflects a renewed focus on community-centered service, faster connections, and regional pride. It’s a bold step forward, representing progress and a commitment to offering residents and visitors a more seamless, efficient way to travel across California’s Central Valley and beyond.

Gold Runner – A New Identity with Purpose

The name “Gold Runner” symbolizes speed, connection, and California’s rich history. It evokes images of swift travel and efficient mobility, emphasizing the service’s role in linking communities and supporting economic growth. The brand also highlights the region’s proud heritage, blending tradition with innovation.

The Gold Runner brand embodies a bold vision for California’s Central Valley region. It aims to honor the service’s rich history while embracing future opportunities for expansion and improvement. The name itself evokes speed, strength, and regional pride—highlighting the importance of connecting communities across the state with a sense of energy and optimism.

Why the Change?

Since its inception, the San Joaquin service has been a vital link for residents and travelers, offering a reliable alternative to driving. Managed by San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA), the service has benefited from local control over marketing and strategic planning, enabling tailored approaches that resonate with regional needs.

With increased investment from the state, SJJPA has focused on elevating the service’s profile, encouraging more riders to choose rail and bus travel. Rebranding to Amtrak Gold Runner aligns with these objectives, providing a unified and recognizable identity that better represents the service’s values and regional pride.

Continued Partnership with Amtrak

Since 2015, SJJPA has collaborated closely with Amtrak to operate and grow the service. The transition to the Amtrak Gold Runner brand builds on this strong partnership. Amtrak remains an essential partner, and both organizations are committed to working together to improve connectivity, streamline services, and offer a seamless travel experience across California.

Expanding the Vision

Gold Runner is designed to support long-term growth plans, aligning with California’s broader transportation strategies. It aims to strengthen connections with other regional rail services and expand the network’s reach. A key feature of the system remains its extensive Thruway Bus network, which connects over half of all riders to destinations across the state, offering a comprehensive mobility solution.

By unifying rail and bus services under the Gold Runner banner, SJJPA hopes to deliver a clearer, more consistent experience for travelers. The new branding will help promote the full scope of services, making it easier for passengers to navigate and plan their journeys.

Celebrating the Launch

To mark this new era, SJJPA will host a special event on November 14, 2025, at the ACE Rail Maintenance Facility in Stockton. The celebration will include the unveiling of Gold Runner-branded trains and buses, speeches from transportation leaders, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This event will showcase the commitment to progress and community connectivity that Gold Runner represents.

In summary, the rebranding of Amtrak San Joaquins to Gold Runner signifies more than a name change; it is a bold step toward a more connected, efficient, and modern transportation system in California’s Central Valley. With a focus on regional pride, innovation, and expanded services, Gold Runner is poised to lead California into a new era of passenger rail travel.