The train service known as Amtrak San Joaquins recently rebranded as Gold Runner.
Stockton residents and travelers from nearby communities will have to get used to the new name of “California’s intercity passenger rail service” operated by Amtrak.
“Gold Runner represents more than a new name, it’s a symbol of our commitment to our passengers and California’s communities,” said David Lipari, Interim Executive Director of the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority in a news release. “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.”
The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) announced the rebrand on Monday, Nov. 3.
Since 2015, the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority partnered with Amtrak to manage and grow its service, the news release states. Amtrak will remain as a “critical partner.” Together the organizations will “continue to pursue co-branding opportunities that enhance connectivity and ensure a seamless, unified experience for riders across California.”
“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,” a SJJPA news release states. “The Gold Runner brand marks an important milestone in this mission, giving SJJPA the ability to steward the brand, one that reflects the Authority’s vision, values, and regional identity.”
According to the news release, Gold Runner is designed to align with the organization’s “long-term expansion plans and California’s broader rail strategy, while fostering stronger connections with neighboring rail services.”
The Gold Runner will highlight an “expansive Thruway Bus network that connects more than half of all riders to destinations across the state.”
“By uniting rail and bus service under a single, cohesive identity, SJJPA can more effectively communicate the full scope of mobility it provides, support future expansion, and deliver a clearer, more consistent experience for passengers,” the organization states. “The Gold Runner name reflects both the heritage and momentum of the Central Valley, representing speed, connection, and California pride.”
Gold Runner is the sixth busiest route for Amtrak with 18 train stations throughout the Central Valley and the Bay Area. Gold Runner currently runs six daily round-trips. The Gold Runner Thruway buses provide connecting services to 135 destinations in California and Nevada.
The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority will be hosting an event in celebration of the organization’s rebrand from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at the ACE Rail Maintenance Facility, 1020 E. Alpine Ave., in Stockton. During the event, Gold Runner-branded trains and Thruway buses will be unveiled.
To learn more about Gold Runner, visit goldrunner.com or follow it’s Facebook at Gold Runner.
Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers business and community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Amtrak San Joaquins rebrands as Gold Runner for ‘bold new era’ in California rail
Reporting by Angelaydet Rocha, The Stockton Record / The Record
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