REDDING, Calif. – The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority and Redding Area Bus Authority launched Route 5, a new express bus service connecting Redding and Sacramento along Interstate 5. The new route provides two daily round-trips with stops in Redding, Red Bluff, Orland, Williams, Sacramento International Airport and Downtown Sacramento at the Sacramento Valley Station.

Route 5 builds on the Gold Runner Thruway bus system, which extends passenger rail access beyond station cities. Earlier this year, SJJPA launched Route 40, connecting Merced and San Jose, as part of an ongoing effort to expand Thruway bus connections across the Gold Runner network.

The new route delivers a faster, more direct alternative to the existing Route 3 service along State Route 99. North State residents now have a new connection to Sacramento International Airport, Gold Runner and Capitol Corridor trains, as well as Sacramento Regional Transit at the Sacramento Valley Station.

Riders can also connect to local transit in Redding and Red Bluff, and to Glenn Ride service to Chico via the Orland stop. Route 5 travelers can purchase bus-only tickets for all cities along the route.

“Route 5 delivers on a long-standing goal of connecting the North State to the Sacramento region,” Orlando said.

Orlando is the CEO of SJJPA. He said the service gives North State residents a direct, reliable connection to Sacramento and the broader passenger rail network.

“Route 5 is the result of years of collaboration and a shared vision to improve regional mobility,” Bonnin said.

Bonnin is the Interim Transit Manager for the Redding Area Bus Authority. He said the new service gives North State residents a faster, more convenient connection to Sacramento, Sacramento International Airport and California’s passenger rail network, expanding access to jobs, education, healthcare and travel opportunities.

“SRTA is pleased to finally see convenient and affordable interregional bus transportation along Interstate 5 come to fruition for the residents of Shasta County and the North State,” Tiedgen said.

Tiedgen is the Executive Director of the Shasta Regional Transportation Agency. He said Route 5 makes it easier to reach the extraordinary beauty and recreational opportunities in Shasta County and provides better access for north state neighbors to destinations and employment opportunities to the south.

The launch of Route 5 is the culmination of a multi-year strategy dating back to 2017, when SRTA and SJJPA began advancing plans for an I-5 express bus as part of the North State Intercity Bus System. In January 2024, SJJPA truncated Route 3 in Chico and enabled bus-only ticketing between Redding and Red Bluff, laying the groundwork for RABA to begin operating the Redding-Chico segment in August 2024 under agreements with Amtrak and SJJPA.

That first phase allowed RABA to demonstrate service performance and prepare for the Redding-Sacramento route, including motorcoach acquisition. In April 2025, the North State Intercity Bus to Rail Plan was adopted by the SRTA Board, and the return of Gold Runner’s 7th daily round-trip created the opportunity to advance the I-5 express connection now known as Route 5.

SJJPA, RABA and the Redding Chamber of Commerce will host a community ribbon-cutting celebration on Monday, August 24, at 8:15 a.m. at 1530 Yuba Street in Redding. The event will bring together representatives from SJJPA, RABA, the City of Redding, the Redding Chamber of Commerce, regional transportation partners, community leaders and local stakeholders to celebrate the official launch of the new Route 5 service.

The program will include brief remarks from agency and community representatives, a ceremonial ribbon cutting, information about Route 5 schedules and connections, and an opportunity for attendees to tour the new motorcoach. The event is open to members of the community, local organizations, transportation partners and the media.