Merced, CA (January 28, 2026) — Local leaders and transportation officials are set to formally mark the launch of Gold Runner Route 40 this week with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Merced, celebrating the start of new Thruway bus service connecting the Central Valley to the Bay Area.
The Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will host the event Wednesday, February 4, at the Merced Amtrak Station, where officials will gather ahead of the Route 40 bus’s scheduled departure. The new route links Merced with San Jose, with additional stops in Los Banos and Gilroy, expanding regional travel options for commuters, students, and travelers.
Speaker remarks are scheduled ahead of the ribbon cutting and will include Josh Pedrozo, Merced County Supervisor, Merced County Association of Governments Director, and San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority board member; Matt Serratto, Mayor of Merced and Merced County Association of Governments Director; and Nadine Villafana, President of the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The launch of Route 40 adds to the Gold Runner system overseen by the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority, which manages passenger rail and connecting bus service throughout the Central Valley and Bay Area. Gold Runner currently operates six daily round trips and provides Thruway bus connections to more than 135 destinations across California and Nevada.
Following the ribbon cutting, the Route 40 Thruway bus will depart from the Merced station, officially placing the new service into operation.
Departure and arrival times are available here.
