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 9 July 2025

July

(Double-click the calendar to enlarge)

Southern Line: Closed between Puhinui to Pukekohe and reduced frequency on rest of the line from 28th June - 13th July. Partial closure between Waitemata (Britomart) and Newmarket from 26th – 27th July.

Eastern Line: Reduced frequency from 28th June - 13th July.

Western Line: Reduced frequency from 28th June – 13th July. Partial closure between New Lynn to Swanson from 12th – 13th July. Full Western Line closure 26th – 27th July.

Nightworks: Intermittent night works across all lines, with buses replacing trains from 9.30pm.

 

August

(Double-click the calendar to enlarge)

Southern Line: Partial closures between Waitemata (Britomart) and Newmarket from 9th-10th and 23rd-24th August.

Western Line: Partial closures between Waitemata (Britomart) and Newmarket from 9th-10thand 23rd-24th

Nightworks: Intermittent night works across all lines, with buses replacing trains from 9.30pm.

 

September

(Double-click the calendar to enlarge)

Southern Line:  Partial closures between Waitemata and Newmarket and Puhinui to Pukekohe from 20th September to 21st September and reduced frequency on weekdays from 23rd September to 5th October.

Eastern Line: Reduced frequency on weekdays from 20th September to 5th October.

Western Line: Partial closures between New Lynn and Swanson 20th – 21st and 28th September. Reduced frequency from 20th September to 5th October.

Nightworks: Intermittent night works across all lines, with buses replacing trains from 9.30pm.

 

October

(Double-click the calendar to enlarge)

All lines: Full closure on all lines from 24th – 27th October

Southern Line: Partial closures and reduced frequency from 20th September to 5th October. Partial closures 18th-19th October. Full closure 24th – 27th October.

Eastern Line: Partial closures and reduced frequency from 20th September to 5th October. Partial closures 18th-19th October. Full closure 24th – 27th October.

Western Line: Partial closures and reduced frequency from 20th September to 5th October. Partial closures 18th-19th October. Full closure 24th – 27th October. Reduced frequency from 28th October – 26th December.

Onehunga Line: Full closure 24th – 27th October.

Nightworks: Intermittent night works across all lines, with buses replacing trains from 9.30pm.

 

November 

(Double-click the calendar to enlarge)

Southern Line: Partial closures and reduced frequency from 8th – 9th, 15th – 16th, and 22nd – 23rd November.

Eastern Line: Partial closures and reduced frequency from 8th – 9th November.

Western Line: Partial closures or reduced frequency from 28th October – 26th December.

 

December

(Double-click the calendar to enlarge)

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

(Double-click the calendar to enlarge)

All lines: From 27th 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.

Plan your journey

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:

Rail Bus EasternRBE: Rail Bus Eastern
Rail Bus SouthernRBS: Rail Bus Southern
Rail Bus OnehungaRBO: Rail Bus Ōnehunga
Rail Bus WesternRBW: 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.

Try our AI Digital Assistant!

Ask a question