April rail upgrades April rail upgrades

 

The City Rail Link is the biggest and most transformational rapid transit development for Auckland. It will be worth the wait. Before it opens in 2026, critical work on Auckland’s rail network must be delivered first. This work will unlock faster journey times, fewer delays and trains every 4-5 minutes at peak.

From Saturday 12 April to Sunday 27 April 2025, no trains will be running. Rail replacement buses will replace trains while we upgrade the rail network and improve your journey.

Rail replacement bus services

All-stop bus services (RBE, RBS, RBO and RBW) will run throughout the closure with additional weekday express rail buses on the Southern Line (RBSX).

To view your stations alternative transport options, visit our train station maps page.

Customers with wheelchairs or mobility scooters that are too large to take on rail replacement buses will be able to book a free mobility taxi by phoning our Contact Centre on 09 366 6400.
Visit bus accessibility to find out more about travelling by bus if you have access challenges or limited mobility.

Eastern Line

The Rail Bus East (RBE) is an all stops rail replacement bus service that will run on the following schedule:

Rail Bus East (RBE) route schematic

Weekdays:

  • Peak: 10-minute frequency
  • Interpeak: 20-minute frequency
  • Late-evenings: 30-minute frequency

Weekends:

  • All day: 20-minute frequency
  • Late-evening: 30-minute frequency

Public holidays: Good Friday, Easter Monday and ANZAC Day:

  • All day: 20-minute frequency
  • Late-evenings: 30-minute frequency

Please note: The rail replacement for Meadowbank Station has been relocated to Remuera Rd, please visit our Rail bus stop relocation page for more information.

Western Line

The Rail Bus West (RBW) is an all stops rail replacement bus service that will run on the following schedule:

Rail Bus West (RBW) route schematic

Weekdays:

  • Peak: 10-minute frequency
  • Interpeak: 20-minute frequency
  • Late-evenings: 30-minute frequency

Weekends:

  • All day: 20-minute frequency
  • Late-evening: 30-minute frequency

Public holidays: Good Friday, Easter Monday and ANZAC Day:

  • All day: 20-minute frequency
  • Late-evenings: 30-minute frequency

Please note: The rail replacement bus stop for Avondale, Fruitvale and Newmarket have been relocated. Please visit our Rail bus stop relocation page for more information.

Onehunga Line

The Rail Bus Onehunga (RBO) is an all stops rail replacement bus service that will run on the following schedule:

Rail Bus Onehunga (RBO) route schematic

7 days a week, including public holidays:

  • All day 30-minute frequency

Southern Line

The Rail Bus South (RBS) is an all stops rail replacement bus service that will run on the following schedule:

Rail Bus South (RBS) route schematic

The Rail Bus Southern Express (RBSX) is an express bus service, only stopping at high demand train stations – Papakura, Manukau, Puhinui, Papatoetoe, Middlemore, Otahuhu, Newmarket, Parnell, and Waitemata (Britomart) stations. It will run on the following schedule:

Rail Bus Southern Express (RBSX) non-peak route schematic

Weekdays only:

  • All day: 20-minute frequency
  • Late evenings: 30-minute frequency

During peak time, every other trip RBSX trip will extend to Pukekohe, Papakura, Manukau, Puhinui, Papatoetoe, Middlemore, Otahuhu, Newmarket, Parnell, and Waitemata (Britomart) stations. The RBSX to Pukekohe will run on the following schedule:

Rail Bus Southern Express (RBSX) peak route schematic

Weekdays only:

  • From Pukekohe to Waitematā: 05:01, 05:41, 06:21, 07:01, 07:41
  • From Waitematā to Pukekohe: 15:00, 15:40, 16:20, 17:00, 17:40, 18:15

Weekdays:

  • Peak: 10-minute frequency
  • Interpeak: 20-minute frequency
  • Late-evenings: 30-minute frequency

Weekends:

  • All day: 20-minute frequency
  • Late-evenings: 30-minute frequency

Public holidays: Good Friday, Easter Monday, and ANZAC Day:

  • All day: 20-minute frequency
  • Late-evenings: 30-minute frequency

Rail Replacement Bus Accessibility

 

Customers with wheelchairs or mobility scooters that are too large to take on rail replacement buses will be able to book a free mobility taxi by phoning our AT contact centre on 09 366 6400.

 

 


Published 18 March 2025 | Last updated 4 April 2025
Information is correct at the time of publishing and subject to change.