Bakersfield Leaders Chart Course for Roads, Buses, and Rail

Bakersfield residents depend on a defined set of transport links that include Meadows Field Airport eight miles north of downtown, Amtrak's San Joaquin Route with the city as its southern terminus, and three major freeways plus one interstate bypass.

Highway and Road Network

The highway system features State Route 99 running north-south through the city, State Route 58 linking eastward toward Interstate 15 and Interstate 40, State Route 178 connecting downtown to the northeast, and Interstate 5 passing west of the urban area. These routes form the backbone for most travel in a city where driving remains the main choice because of the sprawling layout.

Public Transit Services

Golden Empire Transit runs 18 bus routes that serve urban neighborhoods, major attractions and hubs such as the Downtown Transit Center and Valley Plaza. Kern Transit adds intercommunity routes that reach the Mojave Desert, Kern River Valley and Tehachapi regions. Together these operators give residents scheduled options beyond personal vehicles.

Active Transportation and Congestion

The Kern River Parkway Trail provides a 30-mile path for cycling while traffic congestion stays more manageable than in larger metros. Limited pedestrian infrastructure still steers most people toward cars for everyday trips.

With these established networks in place, local decisions will focus on how to maintain service levels, adjust routes where needed and support the mix of air, rail, bus and road travel that already exists. Residents can check schedules directly through Golden Empire Transit and Kern Transit websites or use the airport and Amtrak stations for longer journeys. Planning around the known freeway alignments and the 30-mile trail remains the most direct way to navigate the city in the months ahead.