Planned Rail Closures Planned Rail Closures
We're continuing to upgrade Auckland's rail network. This means that there are times when trains won't be running. During these rail closures, we'll replace train services with buses.
On this page
- Travelling during rail closures.
- Rail Network Rebuild
- View a list of upcoming closures.
- About our rail maintenance work.
- More information on rail closures.
Travelling during 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 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 Onehunga
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.
Please note: Rail replacement buses do not stop at Parnell Station.
Rail Network Rebuild
From 16 January to 19 March 2023, we will be working with KiwiRail to transform Auckland’s rail network and improve passenger services.
For more information, please visit the Rail Network Rebuild project page.
Upcoming rail closures
Upcoming rail closures section last updated: Thursday 2 March 2023
March 2023
Saturday 18 to Sunday 19 March
- Western Line - Buses replace trains between New Lynn and Swanson
View the Western Line timetable for Saturday 18 to Sunday 19 March 2023.
Rail Network Rebuild - Stage 1
Six stations on the Southern and Onehunga Lines will be closed during this
upgrade. Buses will replace trains at these stations: Onehunga, Te Papapa.
Penrose, Ellerslie, Greenlane and Remuera.
- Southern Line - Buses replace trains between Newmarket and Ōtāhuhu. Trains will to run between Papakura and Britomart using the Eastern Line (via Panmure).
View the Southern Line timetable (Weekends) for Monday 16 January to Sunday 19 March 2023.
View the Southern Line Ellerslie Express Bus timetable for Monday 16 January to Sunday 19 March 2023.
- Onehunga Line - Buses replace trains between Newmarket and Onehunga.
View the Onehunga Line Connector (Monday to Saturday) timetable for Monday 16 January to Sunday 19 March 2023.
View the Onehunga Line Connector (Sunday) timetable for Monday 16 January to Sunday 19 March 2023.
View the Onehunga Line Express (Monday to Saturday) timetable for Monday 16 January to Sunday 19 March 2023.
View the Onehunga Line Express (Sunday) timetable for Monday 16 January to Sunday 19 March 2023.
- Eastern Line - Trains will run to an altered timetable.
Eastern line customers from Manukau will need to transfer at Ōtāhuhu to the Southern line in off-peak times only (9:15am to 3pm and 8pm to 5:15am).
View the Eastern Line timetable (Weekends) for Monday 16 January to Sunday 19 March 2023.
- Western Line - Trains will run to an altered timetable.
View the Western Line timetable (Weekends) for Monday 16 January to Sunday 19 March 2023.
Monday 20 to Thursday 23 March
- Southern Line - Buses replace trains between Britomart and Newmarket after 22:30
Timetable will be published soon.
Timetable will be published soon.
- Onehunga Line - buses will replace trains between Newmarket and Britomart after 20:30
Friday 31 March
- Western Line - Buses replace trains between Britomart and Swanson after 22:30
April 2023
Saturday 1 April to Sunday 2 April
- Eastern Line - Buses replace trains between Britomart and Manukau
View the Eastern Line timetable for Saturday 1 to Sunday 2 April 2023.
- Southern Line - Buses replace trains between Otahuhu and Papakura
View the Southern Line timetable for Saturday 1 to Sunday 2 April 2023.
- Western Line - Buses replace trains between Britomart and Swanson
View the Western Line timetable for Saturday 1 to Sunday 2 April 2023.
Monday 03 April
Rail Network Rebuild - Stage 2
Six stations on the Eastern Line will be closed during this
upgrade. Buses will replace trains at these stations: Orakei, Meadowbank,
Glen Innes, Panmure & Sylvia Park.
- Eastern Line - Buses replace trains between Britomart and Otahuhu. Trains will between Manukau to Britomart using the Southern Line (via Newmarket).
View the Eastern Line timetable from Monday 03 April to to January 2024 (weekends only)
View the Easten Line timetable from Monday 03 April to Jauary 2024 (weekdays only)
View the Eastern Line - Glen Innes Express (weekdays only) timetable from Monday 03 April to January 2024
Thursday 6 April
- Western Line - Buses replace trains between Britomart and Swanson after 22:30
Easter Weekend - Friday 7 April to Monday 10 April
Full network shutdown.
Tuesday 11 April to Thursday 13 April
- Eastern Line – Buses replace trains per Rail Network Rebuild
Timetable will be published soon.
- Southern Line - Buses replace trains between Britomart and Newmarket after 22:30
Timetable will be published soon.
- Western Line – Buses replace trains between Britomart and Newmarket after 22:30
Timetable will be published soon.
- Onehunga Line - buses will replace trains between Newmarket and Britomart after 20:30
Timetable will be published soon.
About our rail maintenance work
Sometimes, we need to close rail lines to perform important maintenance work. This is so we can keep everyone safe.
We might need to:
- Lift, repair, or replace sections of track
- Shut down overhead power supplies for electric trains
- Maintain structures like bridges, tunnels, and platforms
- Move equipment, tools, and supplies across rail lines
We try to do most work at night.
But we sometimes have to do work during the day. These upgrades may be too unsafe to do in the dark or too noisy for people living nearby.
We try to schedule work for when the fewest passengers are travelling.
When we close rail services, we provide rail replacement buses so you can get where you need to go.
These buses follow the same lines as the train services they're replacing. They stop at most stations, except for Parnell Station and Meadowbank Station.
More information on rail closures
- Rail bus stop locations and alternative transport options
- Find out more about buses replacing trains
- Contact Auckland Transport
Last updated 15 March 2023
Information is correct at the time of publishing and subject to change.