The Merced stop is an important one for Amtrak, as it offers dedicated bus service to Yosemite National Park. Amtrak and CalTrans advertise this service prominently in marketing literature. The depot that served this location was an aging former Santa Fe stucco and wood structure.	When Amtrak recieved funding to replace the Santa Fe depot with a new one, the company wasted no time in asking for construction bids. The replacement station retains the Santa Fe flavor, even sporting Santa Fe logos on the Merced station sign.

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