Rail Network Rebuild Rail Network Rebuild
The Rail Network Rebuild is an upgrade of the Auckland rail network one section at a time, to bring you more frequent services and faster journeys.
On this page
- Key information
- Stage 2 closures
- Getting around when lines are closed
- Changes to other train lines during Stage 2
- How to stay updated and plan your journeys
- Why we need to close the lines
Key information
Auckland’s rail network is being rebuilt one stage at a time.
In Stage 2, 5 stations on the Eastern Line will be closed between 20 March 2023 and January 2024. Stations closed for Stage 1 will reopen.
When the rail network rebuild is complete and the City Rail Link opens, Auckland will have the modern and reliable rail network it deserves, bringing you more frequent services and faster journeys on all-electric trains.
For this to happen, KiwiRail needs to completely rebuild the aging foundations across our rail network. This vital upgrade will be done one section at a time, over the next 3 years.
This page outlines what is changing, and how we are supporting you with alternative transport choices while KiwiRail complete this work.
Accessible resources
Large Print
Download a Large Print brochure about the Rail Network Rebuild. (PDF 107KB)
NZSL
Stage 2 closures
20 March 2023 to January 2024
Download a map of the network during the Rail Network Rebuild Stage 2 (PNG 51KB)
The Eastern Line will be closed between Britomart and Ōtāhuhu. We're providing alternatives such as rail replacement buses and express services.
These stations will close for Stage 2:
Click on your station name to see alternative transport options to get from that station to various destinations around Auckland.
View changes to other train lines from 20 March 2023 to January 2024.
Getting around when lines are closed
We're providing alternatives for every station that’s closed.
To support KiwiRail through this work, we are providing a range of alternative transport options. These include:
- Rail replacement buses that follow the Eastern Line train route and stop at the 5 closed stations.
- Express rail replacement buses direct between Britomart and Panmure, and Britomart and Glen Innes.
- Re-routing Eastern line services through the Southern Line so customers travelling to Britomart between Ōtāhuhu and Manukau can continue to use the train.
Existing bus routes 743 and 762 will be upgraded to higher frequency 74 and 76 routes.
Alternative travel options and Rail Replacement Bus services
There will be 3 Rail Replacement Bus services:
- The Rail Bus Eastern (RBE), which travels between Britomart, all 5 closed stations, and Ōtāhuhu.
- The Rail Bus Panmure Express (RBPX), which travels directly between Britomart and Panmure.
- The Rail Bus Glen Innes Express (RBGX), which travels directly between Britomart and Glen Innes.
The Eastern Line train will be re-routed through the Southern Line (via Newmarket)
- During peak times, the Eastern Line will run between Manukau and Britomart every 20 minutes, using the Southern Line via Newmarket.
- During off-peak times, the Eastern Line will only run between Manukau and Ōtāhuhu. If you're travelling to Britomart, you will need to use the Southern Line.
- Peak times are 5:30am to 9:30am and 3pm to 7:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Two existing bus services will be upgraded.
The 762 will become the 76 and will connect:
- Glen Innes, West Tamaki Road, Eastridge, Ōrākei and Briomart.
The 76 will run every 15 minutes from 7am until 7pm, 7 days a week. Buses will run every 20 to 30 minutes outside of those times. Buses will run every 10 minutes at peak times.
The 743 will become the 74 and will connect:
- Onehunga Town Centre, Church Street, Sylvia Park, Panmure, Tripoli Road and Glen Innes.
Your fare will be based on the number of fare zones you travel through. You will not pay more if you need to take a bus (or a train and a bus) to complete your journey.
HOP machines
Due to five stations closing on the Eastern line during stage 2, HOP top up machines located on the platform at closed stations will be out of service.
Alternatively, you can top up at one of our HOP retailers or top up online.
Changes to other train lines during Stage 2
Onehunga Line during Stage 2
All Onehunga Line stations will reopen.
Due to the Eastern Line closure requiring more trains to run through Newmarket, and fewer platforms at Britomart due to CRL works, services are limited on the Onehunga Line during peak hours.
However, additional platform space is now available at Britomart during off-peak hours. This means that trains can run to Britomart during Stage 2 of the Rail Network Rebuild.
Trains will run:
- Between Onehunga and Penrose at peak times.
- Between Onehunga and Britomart at off-peak times, including weekends. During the day, trains will not stop at Remuera and Greenlane.
- During the evenings, Onehunga Line trains will travel between Onehunga and Britomart and will stop at all stations including Remuera and Greenlane.
Peak times are 5:30am to 9:30am and 3pm to 7:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Download the Onehunga Train Line Timetable - Weekdays (PDF 697KB)
Download the Onehunga Train Line Timetable - Weekends (PDF 697KB)
Southern Line during Stage 2
Trains will not travel between Papakura and Pukekohe due to KiwiRail's planned electrification works.
All other Southern Line stations will reopen.
Download the Southern Train Line Timetable - Weekdays (PDF 2MB)
Download the Southern Train Line Timetable - Weekends (PDF 2MB)
Western Line during Stage 2
All Western Line stations will be open.
Download the Western Train Line Timetable - Weekdays (PDF 844KB)
Download the Western Train Line Timetable - Weekends (PDF 829KB)
Remaining stages
The remaining stages will be completed one section at a time over the next 3 years, so the rest of the train network can stay open during works. We’ll keep you informed with the details of additional stages as they are confirmed.
View alternative transport options for Stage 2 station closures.
What you need to know
Buses will be busier than usual, especially at peak times.
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.
How to stay updated and plan your journeys
The best way to stay informed during these changes is to download the AT Mobile app and subscribe to alerts for your train lines. You’ll get notified when there are changes to your line and will be able search the best route to your exact destination.
You can also use the Journey Planner or phone 09 366 6400 for support from our team.
We know you've dealt with a lot of rail closures lately
We know you've dealt with a lot of rail closures lately, and we understand how difficult and stressful changing the way you get around Auckland can be.
When the Rail Network Rebuild is complete and the City Rail Link opens, Auckland will have the modern and reliable rail network it deserves with more frequent services and faster journeys on all-electric trains.
In the meantime, we’ll be there to help you get where you need to be, and we’ll be providing a range of alternative services throughout all stages of KiwiRail's Rail Network Rebuild.
Thank you for your patience and understanding while KiwiRail carry out these important works.
Why we need to close the lines
The Rail Network Rebuild will prepare our rail network for the opening of City Rail Link (CRL). KiwiRail needs to upgrade the entire Auckland rail network to replace aging foundations under the tracks, which are slowing down our trains and reducing their reliability.
The Rail Network Rebuild is not surface-level work. KiwiRail will lift the rails and sleepers, replace the foundations, improve drainage, and put the rails and sleepers back down.
KiwiRail investigated a range of options to limit the impact on train users. This included limiting work to evenings and weekends. However, under that schedule, the Rail Network Rebuild would take nearly 20 years to complete.
Learn more about the works on the KiwiRail website.