Amtrak’s allure grows as gas tops $5. Let’s do the math for Valley, Bay Area trips
Amtrak’s Gold Runner service stretches for 278 miles between Sacramento and Bakersfield. A ticket to ride the entire route can run about $50. Driving a car between these cities can cost more than $200 when accounting for gasoline, wear-and-tear and other expenses.
The spike in fuel prices amid the Iran war prompted The Modesto Bee to look into this issue. We like to advise families on how to contend with the cost of living. If we can point them to a travel mode more relaxing than freeways, all the better.
Gold Runner is the new name for the longtime San Joaquins service. Two of the seven daily round trips serve the capital. The others branch west at Stockton to Oakland.
A train from Sacramento to Bakersfield stops along the way in Lodi, Stockton, Modesto, Denair, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Hanford, Corcoran and Wasco. The trip lasts about five and a half hours if it is on time.
Ahdel Ahmed helps market the Gold Runner as public relations manager for the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission. He estimated the rail-vs.-road expenses in an email Thursday.
“As costs continue to rise,” Ahmed said, “traveling on the Gold Runner isn’t just convenient and cheaper, it’s an increasingly smart way to get where you’re going.”
Just how do you compare rail vs. roads?
Ahmed’s estimate assumes gas at $5.76 per gallon and a car that gets 25 miles to the gallon. It would burn about $64 worth of fuel to get from Sacramento to Bakersfield.
The total cost is $201.55 if it includes other expenses that go into driving, such as monthly loan payments and occasional repair bills. This is based on the 72.5 cents per mile that many businesses pay to employees who use their own vehicles. The Internal Revenue Service sets it every Jan. 1. It does not reflect the Iran bump.
Ahmed’s example assumes a $51 train fare from Sacramento to Bakersfield. The cost is less for shorter trips, such as Lodi to Modesto or Merced to Fresno. The example does not include Amtrak’s discounts for children, seniors, veterans and certain other riders.
The Bakersfield-Oakland route has a similar total distance: 272 miles. The Bay Area portion has stops along the way in Antioch, Martinez, Richmond and Emeryville.
Gold Runner also operates a feeder bus network reaching many parts of California. The most popular routes go from Bakersfield to the Los Angeles area.
What about wireless internet and other on-board perks?
Gold Runner trains have wireless service and outlets for laptops and mobile phones. The fleet is phasing in the new Venture coaches, more accessible for riders with disabilities.
This line no longer offers meals for sale, due to the high labor cost. Amtrak does invite passengers to bring their own food, with fold-down trays at each seat. It also gives away snacks and soft drinks.
Other things of note:
- The Gold Runner overlaps between Martinez and Oakland with the Capitol Corridor, an Amtrak route between Sacramento and San Jose.
- The Sacramento station is served by that city’s light-rail service, reaching parts of the capital region.
- Both the Gold Runner and Capitol Corridor share the Richmond station with BART. It has frequent trains in five Bay Area counties.
- BART serves both the San Francisco and Oakland airports, easier than fighting freeway traffic. Be sure to allow even more time than usual for airport security checks, due to the partial federal shutdown.
