Los Banos, CA (January 14, 2026) – A new Gold Runner Thruway bus route will soon provide direct service between Merced and San Jose, with a scheduled stop in Los Banos, according to a press release issued by the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA).
The new service, known as Route 40, is designed to expand travel options between the Central Valley and the Bay Area by linking Merced, Los Banos, and Gilroy with San Jose. SJJPA stated that the route is intended to improve access to employment centers, colleges, and regional transit connections for residents who rely on coordinated rail and bus travel.
Route 40 will operate as part of the Gold Runner Thruway bus system, which extends passenger rail service beyond station cities and connects riders to the broader intercity rail network. SJJPA said the new route strengthens links between growing Central Valley communities and Bay Area destinations…