Stage 2 of the Rail Network Rebuild
During Stage 2, 5 stations on the Eastern Line will be closed between Britomart and Ōtāhuhu from 20 March 2023 until January 2024.
On this page
Key information
During Stage 2, 5 stations on the Eastern Line will be closed from 20 March 2023 until January 2024. Stations closed for Stage 1 will reopen.
This page outlines what is changing, and how we are supporting you with alternative transport choices while KiwiRail complete this work.
Please note that you won't be able to use the AT HOP top up machines at closed stations.
Stage 2 closures
The Eastern Line will be closed between Britomart and Ōtāhuhu from 20 March 2023 until January 2024. 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.
Getting around when lines are closed
To support KiwiRail through this work, we're providing a range of alternative transport options for all closed stations. 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.
Buses will be busier than usual, especially at peak times. To stay informed, 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 phone 09 366 6400 for support from our team.
Eastern Line travel options
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.
- Eastern Line weekday rail bus timetable (PDF 839KB)
- Eastern Line weekend rail bus timetable (PDF 835KB)
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.
Eastern Line train services
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.
Upgrades to existing bus services
Existing bus routes 743 and 762 will be upgraded to the higher frequency 74 and 76 routes. The 74 and 76 will follow the same routes as the 743 and 762 buses, only they will be more frequent.
The 76 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 74 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.
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 City Rail Link 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.
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.
Western Line during Stage 2
All Western Line stations will be open.