Amtrak Thruway

Amtrak Thruway is a bus network to support Amtrak train routes. Its main functions are to connect cities off the train route (San Francisco and Emeryville, Eureka and Martinez), and to fill service gaps between the Amtrak routes (e.g. Bakersfield and Los Angeles, San Jose and San Luis Obispo). Because Amtrak trains run on tracks mostly owned by private railroads, Amtrak cannot operate trains when and where track capacity is constrained.

Amtrak Thruway service generally is time coordinated, and Amtrak sells tickets with connecting Thruway service.

Amtrak Thruway service exists in different forms depending on route:

• Amtrak branded bus operated by a charter bus company that depending on route or stop...
  • only carries Amtrak train passengers.
  • or also carries bus only passengers.
• Long distance route operated by a transit agency, or as part of state sponsored intercity bus program that also carries non-Amtrak passengers.
• Scheduled service operated by a private intercity bus or van company that also carries non-Amtrak passengers.