FRESNO, Calif. — Amtrak’s San Joaquins will introduce a new schedule on May 20, returning service to seven full-corridor round trips and offering service every two hours.
Five of the trains will operate between Bakersfield and Oakland, while two will run between Bakersfield and Sacramento.
In a media release, David Lipari, marketing manager for the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority, said, “Designed to improve on-time performance and connectivity across the Bay Area, Sacramento, the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California, we are proud to offer a more convenient and timely solution that meets the growing needs of riders.”
The Hanford Sentinel details the schedule changes here.
Re: two of the San Joaquins could be extended to Barstow
Not when the train can only go 30 mph and it will delayed by a parade of freights. A bus can (and does) get there in half the time. Don’t forget, the railroad alignment was designed by a mule in the late 1800’s (according to mythology) the bus is running on late 20th Century alignments. Hard for 19th Century train to compete with a 20th Century bus.
I second that. If the line capacity is there the increased connectivity would be a big incentive to market train
travel in, out and through the Valley.
It would be desirable if two of the San Joaquins could be extended to Barstow to connect with the eastbound and westbound Southwest Chiefs.
John,I am sure that the section in question would need quite a bit of capacity enhancements,however it did host Santa Fe’s San Francisco Chief until 1971.