Planned rail closures Planned rail closures
The rail network needs regular maintenance and upgrade works to allow for a more frequent, faster and reliable network into the future.
On this page
When work is happening on a train line, we need to close sections of the track. We try to do this when fewer people are using the trains – including overnight and during holiday periods.
This page shows a long-term forecast of current planned rail closures. Exact details of closures (e.g. timing) and alternative transport options are confirmed ~3 months in advance and are often dependent on what happens during other works. Please note that plans can also be affected by weather or other incidents on the network so may be subject to change.
As well as these closures for planned maintenance and upgrade works, from time to time there are additional urgent or emergency closures.
For the most up-to-date information on the day of travel including more specific details and alternative transport options, please check Train Line Status before you travel and subscribe to push notifications in the AT Mobile app.
Planned rail closure calendar
Guide:
- Full line closure means the entire train line is closed. There will usually be rail replacement buses organised.
- Partial closure means only a part of the line is closed. Trains will continue to run on the rest of the line and there will usually be rail replacement buses organised for the closed section of the line.
- Reduced frequency means that trains will run less often(e.g. running every 20 minutes instead of every 10 minutes), to allow lines to stay open whilst works are happening.
- Night works work will happen overnight so that trains can continue to run during the day. The last few services of the night will usually be cancelled, to allow workers to get as much done as possible overnight.
Last updated 4 April 2025
April
All lines: full closure during Easter/Anzac holidays from 12th-27th April.
Nightworks: Intermittent night works across all lines, with buses replacing trains from 9.30pm.
May
All Lines: closed 30th May – 2nd June (King's Birthday Weekend).
Nightworks: Intermittent night works across all lines, with buses replacing trains from 9.30pm.
June
All lines: full closure 30th May-2nd June (King's Birthday Weekend) and 20th-23rd June (Matariki Weekend).
Southern Line: partial closure or reduced frequency from 28th June-13th July.
Eastern Line: partial closure or reduced frequency from 28th June-13th July
Nightworks: Intermittent night works across all lines, with buses replacing trains from 9.30pm.
July
Eastern Line: partial closure or reduced frequency from 28th June-13th July
Southern Line: partial closure or reduced frequency from 28th June-13th July and 26th-27th July
Western Line: partial closure or reduced frequency to be confirmed 12th-13th and 26th-27th July.
Nightworks: Intermittent night works across all lines, with buses replacing trains from 9.30pm.
August
Southern Line: partial closure or reduced frequency from 9th – 10th August and 23rd – 24th August.
Western Line: partial closure or reduced frequency from 9th-10th 16th-17th August and 23rd – 24th August..
Nightworks: Intermittent night works across all lines, with buses replacing trains from 9.30pm.
September
All lines partial closure: 6th - 7th September and 27th – 28th September.
Southern Line: Partial closure or reduced frequency from 20th September – 5th October.
Western line: Partial closure or reduced frequency from 20th September – 5th October.
October
Southern Line: Partial closure or reduced frequency from 20th September – 5th October and 11th-12th October.
Western Line: Partial closure or reduced frequency from 20th September – 5th October, 11th-12th October and nd 28th October – 26th December..
All Lines: Full closure during Labour Weekend from 24th-27th October.
November
Southern Line: Partial closure or reduced frequency from 8th-9th, 15th-16th, and 22nd-23rd November.
Western line: Partial closure or reduced frequency from 28th October-26th December
December
Western line: Partial closure or reduced frequency from 28th October-26th December
Southern line: Partial closure or reduced frequency from 13th-26th December
All lines: From 27th December 2025 – 26th January 2026 the whole network is closed.
January 2025
From 26th December 2025 - 26th January 2026 the whole network is closed.
Travelling during rail closures
Visit Train Line Status to see upcoming rail closures.
You can use Journey Planner and the AT Mobile app to find other ways to travel when trains are not running.
Rail replacement buses
During larger planned closures, AT organises rail replacement buses. These buses stop at all stations on the closed line (or closed part of the line).
Rail replacement buses show up in the AT mobile app as bus services (not trains) and use the following names:
RBE: Rail Bus Eastern
RBS: Rail Bus Southern
RBO: Rail Bus Ōnehunga 
RBW: Rail Bus Western
You can use all valid train tickets and passes to travel on rail replacement buses. Buses cannot carry bikes, scooters, or large personal items.
Find out more about buses replacing trains.
View train station maps and railbus stop locations.
About our rail maintenance work
Maintaining the rail network is important to keep everyone safe. Our work programme ensures that the tracks, overhead powerlines and structures like bridges or tunnels are maintained.
When work is being done on the network, the power lines overhead need to be shut off so that workers can operate safely below. These powerlines are connected to whole segments of the tracks, so even if a very small area needs to work, we sometimes need to close off larger areas, affecting multiple stations.
Rail Network Rebuild
Auckland’s rail network is undergoing a major upgrade to get ready for the opening of the City Rail Link (CRL) in 2026. We need to upgrade the tracks and foundations (some of which are hundreds of years old) to be ready for faster and more frequent services.
Learn more about the Rail Network Rebuild.
Information is correct at the time of publishing and subject to change.