Modesto Amtrak station plans open house. We’re talking free tacos, low-cost travel
Amtrak will host an open house at its Modesto station to thank its current riders and urge other people to get on board.
It will be from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 26, at the east end of Briggsmore Avenue. Two food trucks will give away their products while supplies last: G’z Tacos 209 and Heaven Snow shaved ice.
The Modesto Chamber of Commerce is a co-sponsor. So are Visit Modesto, which promotes tourism, and nearby partner Visit Oakdale.
The route is the Gold Runner, rebranded last year from the San Joaquins. Five daily round trips run between Bakersfield and Oakland. Two others branch north at Stockton to Sacramento.
The service allows families and other riders to avoid freeway traffic while saving on fuel and other costs of driving. It is governed by the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority.
“Modesto is an important stop along the Gold Runner corridor,” CEO Chris Orlando said in a news release, “and a vital connection point for residents, businesses and visitors traveling throughout California.”
The Sacramento-Bakersfield trains also stop in Lodi, Stockton, Denair, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Hanford, Corcoran and Wasco. The Bay Area leg has stations in Stockton, Antioch, Martinez, Richmond, Emeryville and Oakland.
Train tickets can be booked at the stations or online at goldrunner.com. Amtrak also has connecting Thruway buses serving much of California.
