Onboard Drink & Snack Menu

next steps for food and beverage program

We’re working to enhance your onboard dining experience, making it more affordable, offering greater variety, and ensuring it’s accessible to all passengers. Whether you're in the mood for a snack, a drink, or something new, our goal is to make the options a more enjoyable part of your journey. We're rolling out improvements in phases, guided by your feedback and focused on quality, convenience, and value. Thank you for riding with us, we’re excited to bring you a better onboard experience!

CURRENT PHASE

COMPLIMENTARY SNACK AND BEVERAGE SERVICE
Gold Runner now offers complimentary onboard food service, featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of fresh, locally sourced snacks and beverages. In partnership with trusted vendors and small businesses along our route, we bring the vibrant flavors and agricultural richness of the Central Valley directly to your journey.

FOOD TRUCK PILOTᴺᴱᵂ

Our food truck program has officially launched at our Bakersfield station! Two vendor spots are currently available and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. As this initiative gets underway, food truck availability may vary and is not guaranteed at all times.

PHASE TWO

PHASE THREE

VENDING MACHINES ON BOARD

ATTENDED FOOD SERVICEᴺᴱᵂ
Onboard our service prepare to experience meal and beverage service that is personally delivered and managed by onboard attendants. Unlike self-service options, this model emphasizes hospitality, convenience, and passenger comfort. Onboard attendants take orders, serve meals and drinks directly to passengers, and provide personalized assistance throughout the service.

BUSINESS CLASSᴺᴱᵂ
Complimentary service With our upcoming Business Class ticket model, complimentary service will be part of your experience during your trip.

PHASE FOUR

VENDING MACHINES ON BOARD
ATTENDED FOOD SERVICE
BUSINESS CLASS COMPLIMENTARY SERVICE

ON BOARD CART SERVICEᴺᴱᵂ
This new service builds on our attended services by adding a convenience factor by allowing you to order food and drinks directly to your seat.

PRE-BOARD ORDERINGᴺᴱᵂ
Skip the wait—pre-order your meal before boarding and enjoy a seamless dining experience on the train

Drink & snack options

Complimentary Snacks
- Doritos - Nacho Cheese
- White Cheddar Popcorn
- Grandma's Cookies
- Dots Pretzels
- Mini Cliff Bars
- and more...

Complimentary Drinks
- Coca-Cola
- Diet Coca-Cola
- Water
- Dr. Pepper
- Pepsi

* Snacks and drinks are subject to change and are available while supplies last onboard.

Frequently asked questions

Starting May 5, 2025, we're rolling out a fresh new Food Service experience on all our trains. That means complimentary snacks and drinks for everyone, no matter which train you're on. We're all about making your ride more enjoyable, consistent, and wallet-friendly—so get ready to snack, sip, and relax with us!

What will happen with the current dedicated Cafe Cars?

Can I bring my own food on board?

When can riders expect vending and onboard sales to be introduced?

SJJPA is actively working through logistics and regulations to ensure that vending machines are able to be introduced in the rail environment safely. A pilot introduction of vending will roll out for testing and after testing has been completed, gradual expansion of the machines will be distributed amongst all Gold Runner equipment. This will be the first reintroduction of onboard sales in a new medium. Concurrently, SJJPA is exploring potential modifications to the Venture Car equipment that would allow for a small kiosk to have attended service reintroduced into the service.