Matariki Weekend 2026 April Rail Closures
Timeline
- Thursday 9 July 2026 (standard workday) - full rail network closure for City Rail Link dress rehearsal ad timetable trial
- Friday 10 July 2026 (public holiday) - full rail network closure for upgrades and maintenance work
- Saturday 11 to Sunday 12 July 2026 - full rail network closure for rail infrastructure upgrades and maintenance work
- Monday 13 July 2026 – Normal train services resume
Key Projects
City Rail Link (CRL) is nearing completion. On Thursday 9 July, Auckland’s passenger rail network will be closed to trial the final CRL timetable with the standard weekday (Monday to Friday) service that will operate once the City Rail Link opens. This will give train drivers, managers and controllers the opportunity to practise and become familiar with the future network.
Following the CRL trial, the rail network will remain closed over Matariki weekend to support rail infrastructure upgrades and track maintenance.
The list of work that needs to be completed over this weekend includes:
- Continued construction of new pedestrian overbridges at Takaanini, Te Mahia and Glen Innes stations.
- Continued construction of the new Drury, Ngākōroa and Paerātā rail stations
- Lift renewals at Middlemore stations.
- Ongoing essential maintenance to rail tracks, foundations and sleepers.
Scheduling works during a public holiday weekend is the best way we can manage the need for delivery while minimising the disruption to passengers, as the demand is usually lower during this time meaning fewer people are impacted.
Rail replacement bus services
From 9 to 12 July, rail replacement buses will be running across the network for the full duration of the closure with frequent, all‑stop services on the Southern, Eastern, Western, Onehunga and Meadowbank corridors.
Western Line
The Rail Bus West (RBW) is a rail replacement bus service that stops at each station along the Western Line when trains are not running. From 9 to 12 July, the RBW will operate on the following schedule:
Thursday 9 July
|
Rail bus service |
Thursday |
|
Rail Bus West (RBW) - all Western Line stations |
Peak (6am – 9am & 2pm – 6pm): every 10 minutes Off peak: every 20 minutes Evening: every 30 minutes |
Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July
|
Rail bus service |
Friday to Sunday |
|
Rail Bus West (RBW) - all Western Line stations |
All day: every 20 minutes Evening: every 30 minutes Saturday only: late evening until 1am |
Express map
Thursday 9 July
|
Rail bus service |
Thursday |
|
Rail Bus West Express (RBWX) – Limited Stops (Henderson, New Lynn, Avondale, Grafton, Newmarket, Parnell, Waitematā) |
Peak time and direction only: 6am to 9am (city bound only): every 20 minutes 2pm to 6pm (west bound only): every 20 minutes |
Southern Line
The Rail Bus South (RBS) is a rail replacement bus service that stops at each station along the Southern Line when trains are not running. From 9 to 12 July, the RBS will operate on the following schedule:
Thursday 9 July
|
Rail bus service |
Thursday |
|
Rail Bus South (RBS) - all Southern Line stations |
Peak: every 10 minutes Off peak: every 20 minutes Late evening: every 30 minutes |
Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July
|
Rail bus service |
Friday to Sunday |
|
Rail Bus South (RBS) - all Southern Line stations |
All day: every 20 minutes Evening: every 30 minutes Saturday only: late evening until 1am |
Express map
Thursday 9 July
|
Rail bus service |
Thursday |
|
Rail Bus South (RBSX) – Limited Stops (Papakura-Puhinui-Papatoetoe-Middlemore-Otahuhu-Newmarket-Waitematā) |
Between 6am and 8pm (both city and south bound): every 20 minutes |
Eastern Line
The Rail Bus East (RBE) is a rail replacement bus service that stops at each station along the Eastern Line when trains are not running. From 9 to 12 July, the RBE will operate on the following schedule:
Thursday 9 July 2026
|
Rail bus service |
Thursday |
|
Rail Bus East (RBE) – all Eastern Line stations |
Peaks (6am – 9am & 2pm – 6pm): every 10 minutes Off peak: every 20 minutes Evening: every 30 minutes |
|
Meadowbank Loop (RBM) – Remuera Road to Meadowbank Station shuttle service |
All day: every 20 minutes Late Evening: every 30 minutes
|
Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July
|
Rail bus service |
Friday to Sunday |
|
Rail Bus East (RBE) - all Eastern Line stations |
All day: every 20 minutes Evening: every 30 minutes Saturday only: late evening until 1am |
|
Meadowbank Loop (RBM) – Remuera Road to Meadowbank Station shuttle service |
All day: every 30 minutes Saturday only: late evening until 1am |
Onehunga Line
The Rail Bus Onehunga (RBO) is a rail replacement bus service that stops at each station along the Onehunga Line when trains are not running. From 9 to 12 July, the RBO will operate on the following schedule:
Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 July
|
Rail bus service |
Thursday to Sunday |
|
Rail Bus Onehunga (RBO) - all Onehunga Line stations |
All day: every 30 minutes Saturday only: late evening until 1am |
Rail Replacement Bus Accessibility
Auckland Transport are encouraging customers to use the AT Journey Planner ahead of travel to check out the rail bus timetable. The majority of the rail replacement buses will be fitted with GPS tracking, allowing customers to see when the next bus will be arriving at the rail station via the AT mobile App.
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.