Accessible version and resources

Key contacts

• For personal customer service, call the AT Customer Service Centre 09 366 6400
• For the NZ Relay Service call 0800 4715 715

What is the Rail Network Rebuild?

KiwiRail is undertaking a vital rebuild of the aging foundations that Auckland’s trains run on. This work, and other City Rail Link-related projects, such as the electrification of the line between Pukekohe and Papakura, will make the network ready for the City Rail Link. It will allow us to run more trains more often and increase the reliability of our services.

The upgrade work will be done in stages, one section of track at a time. Trains may not be able to run while sections of track are being worked on. While this is happening the rest of the train network will keep running.

Stages 1-2 of the Rail Network Rebuild

During Stage 1, 6 stations on the Southern and Onehunga Lines were closed from 16 January 2023 to 19 March 2023: Remuera, Greenlane, Ellerslie, Penrose, Te Papapa and Onehunga.

During Stage 2, 5 stations on the Eastern Line were closed from 20 March 2023 to 14 January 2024: Ōrākei, Meadowbank, Glen Innes, Panmure and Sylvia Park.

These stations have now reopened, and trains are running to normal timetables.

Stage 3 of the Rail Network Rebuild

Stage 3 will be split into 2 parts, starting on 15 January 2024. Stage 3a will involve work on the Western Line, and Stage 3b will improve the Southern Line.

On 10 March 2024, KiwiRail started works on Stage 3a of the Western Line. The work focuses on drainage and track work between Avondale and Morningside stations. We expect this work to be complete in early May.

Some works will be completed on weekdays. Train services will continue to run but at a reduced frequency of 20 minutes all day. Services will resume normal frequency on Monday 29 April 2024.

Weekday evening and weekend closures will continue until mid-May 2024.

Auckland Transport is providing the following transport choices while KiwiRail completes this work:

• rail replacement buses that follow the train route, station by station
• regular scheduled buses – you may find one of our existing bus services better suits your journey.

How to stay updated and plan your journeys

You can plan your travel using Journey Planner and the AT Mobile App.

On AT Mobile, go to Service Alerts in Settings and opt-in to get recommendations based on your AT HOP card travel. AT will then be able to recommend alternative travel options and give you specific reminders when a change might affect you.

Rail replacement bus accessibility

You can check out our Rail Closures webpage to find out when trains will not be running.

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.

Fares

Your fares are based on the number of fare zones you travel through, so you will not pay more if you need to take a bus (or two buses, or a train and a bus) to complete your journey.

Regular Total Mobility concessions apply, including the Plus One Companion scheme. Under the Plus One Companion scheme, a companion can travel free of charge with a Total Mobility cardholder when travelling together. An AT Total Mobility Card is required to access this concession. The bus driver will issue a ticket for the plus one companion for free.

What you need to know

• Buses may be busier than usual, especially at peak times.
• Journey times may be longer, so allow extra time.
• Customers with wheelchairs will be able to book a free mobility taxi through our Contact Centre on 09 366 6400.

In addition to these train station closures, there will still be planned closures on other train lines across the network to facilitate routine maintenance and project work.