Date: 6 August 2026
The biggest change to the city's rail network in generations begins operating passenger services next month with the opening of the City Rail Link now confirmed for 13 September.
The 3.45km twin-tunnel underground railway and new stations at Te Waihorotiu, Karanga-a-Hape and Maungawhau will transform Auckland's rail network, reducing travel times, increasing train frequencies, improving cross-city connections and unlocking new opportunities for growth. For the first time, trains will travel through the city centre instead of terminating at Waitematā.
Today's announcement by the Minister of Transport and Mayor of Auckland, comes just under six weeks before opening day, giving Auckland Transport, KiwiRail and Auckland One Rail time to complete the final work to get ready. This will ensure operational staff are ready for new rosters and gives customers time to prepare for the biggest change to Auckland's rail network in more than 20 years.
"The next few weeks are about making sure Auckland is ready. We're introducing a completely new rail network, new bus connections, updating thousands of customer touchpoints and helping people understand the new travel opportunities available to them from day one," says Auckland Transport Chief Executive Stacey van der Putten.
New train services, timetable and stations
Aucklanders can start getting ready now by exploring the new network. Tickets are now available for the ‘First Look events’ taking place throughout August, with Maungawhau Station up first this coming Saturday.
“This is a chance for Aucklanders to look around these stations for the first time and get familiar with how the new network will operate before opening day,” says Stacey van der Putten.
Customers can also start planning future journeys now using Auckland Transport's CRL Preview Journey Planner, available through the AT Mobile app.
Trains to run at Christmas and New Year
Along with the addition of CRL to the rail network, Aucklanders will enjoy significantly fewer rail closures, with no full closures needed, says KiwiRail Chief Metro Officer Bevan Assink.
“Following the intensive upgrades we’ve delivered to prepare for CRL, we are progressing a new maintenance regime that allows us to keep trains running more often.
“For example, trains will be running across the whole network on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, allowing people to travel into, out of and around the city at this busy festive period.
“There will be short partial closures on two sections of the network starting after Boxing Day until early January, but the majority will remain open throughout the Summer. In comparison, last Summer we closed the full network for 33 days. Those upgrades we delivered for CRL readiness were invasive and intensive but now we have infrastructure ready to reliably support more trains into the future.”
New bus connections
Alongside the introduction of the new rail network, Auckland Transport is making a range of changes across bus services to improve connections and support more seamless journeys.
“We are making sure the wider public transport network is ready to support the City Rail Link, with changes that strengthen links between buses, trains and the communities they serve,” says Stacey van der Putten.
Before the City Rail Link opens, Auckland Transport is encouraging all bus users to check the Journey Planner. Even if you aren’t expecting major changes in your area, some existing bus services will have minor timetable adjustments from 13 August to provide better connections with trains in east, south, west and central Auckland.
In south Auckland and Franklin new and improved bus services have been introduced to better connect local communities with the recently opened Paerātā and Drury stations, making it easier for people to access the rail network and travel across the region.
Preparing for a smooth Day 1
Auckland Transport and its CRL partners are also preparing for strong public interest on the opening weekend, with additional staff and ambassadors across the network to help customers navigate the new stations, services and connections. Details of opening day celebrations and special passenger services will be announced closer to September 13.
Rail services operator Auckland One Rail and rail network owner KiwiRail are also deploying extra resources during the opening period, to ensure train services and track infrastructure run smoothly, and any teething issues can be responded to rapidly.
“We’ll have extra maintenance crews and more people working round the clock at our rail operations centre – all ready to go in case there are any issues during the launch period, while everything beds in.” says Assink.
-ENDS-
Notes:
- Opening date: The City Rail Link will open to passenger services on Sunday September 13, with the first weekday timetable operating from Monday 14 September.
- First Look events: Tickets are now live for our Maungawhau Station first look and people can pre-register to be first in line for tickets at Karanga-a-Hape and Te Waihorotiu Stations. Head to https://crl.iticket.co.nz/
- New timetable: For more information about the new stations, services and timetables head to at.govt/crl or plan your new CRL journey using the future setting on the AT Journey Planner tool.
- Opening Weekend: Auckland Transport is planning for special passenger services and additional staff and ambassadors across the network to help customers explore the new stations and services. Further details will be announced closer to opening day.