For Immediate Release
June 15, 2026
SJJPA Contact:
Ahdel Ahmed, San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission
E-mail: aahmed@sjrrc.com
Phone: (209) 234-9282
SJJPA and Community Partners to Host Passenger Appreciation Event Featuring Local Food Trucks on June 26
(Modesto, CA) – The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA), which manages the Gold Runner intercity rail and Thruway Bus service, will host a free Passenger Appreciation Event at the Modesto Amtrak Station on Friday, June 26, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The event is being held in partnership with the Modesto Chamber of Commerce and Visit Modesto to celebrate the riders and community members who make Gold Runner an essential transportation option for California travelers.
Attendees can enjoy complimentary offerings from two popular local food trucks: G'z Tacos 209, serving up authentic Central Valley flavors, and Heaven Snow Co., bringing their signature shaved ice creations. The event is free and open to the public, welcoming Gold Runner riders, first-time visitors, and Modesto community members alike.
Additional partners onsite will include the Modesto Chamber of Commerce, Visit Modesto, and Visit Oakdale.
“Our passengers are the reason we do what we do, and events like this give us an opportunity to thank them in a meaningful way,” said Chris Orlando, CEO of SJJPA. “Modesto is an important stop along the Gold Runner corridor and a vital connection point for residents, businesses, and visitors traveling throughout California. We are proud to partner with the Modesto Chamber of Commerce and Visit Modesto to bring this celebration to the community and showcase everything Modesto has to offer. We look forward to welcoming riders, neighbors, and new faces on June 26.”
Gold Runner has hosted Passenger Appreciation Events at several stations along the corridor, including Stockton’s San Joaquin Street and Robert J. Cabral stations, as well as activities onboard the actual train, as part of an ongoing commitment to strengthening ties between the service and the communities it connects.
The Modesto Amtrak Station serves as a key stop on the Gold Runner corridor, connecting over 100,000 passengers to destinations throughout California between May 2025 and April 2026. Events like this passenger appreciation gathering reflect SJJPA's broader effort to make Gold Runner stations more welcoming, vibrant spaces for travelers and the communities they serve.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information about Gold Runner service and schedules, visit goldrunner.com.
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About the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA)
Since July 2015, SJJPA has been responsible for the management and administration of Gold Runner, previously Amtrak San Joaquins. SJJPA is governed by Board Members representing each of the ten (10) Member Agencies along the 365-mile Gold Runner Corridor. For more information on SJJPA see www.sjjpa.com. Gold Runner is Amtrak’s 6th busiest route with 18 train stations throughout the Central Valley and Bay Area, providing a safe, comfortable and reliable way to travel throughout California. Gold Runner is currently running six daily round-trips. In addition to the train service, Gold Runner Thruway buses provide connecting service to 135 destinations in California and Nevada including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Reno.
(October 12 – Oakley) – The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA), the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC), and the City of Oakley are proud to announce the next major milestone in the development of the new at-grade regional rail station that will bring Gold Runner trains into the heart of Contra Costa County.
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