New Zealand: Aucklanders are embracing their new Metro, the City Rail Link (CRL) – Image: Auckland Transport (AT)
Aucklanders have embraced their new Metro, the City Rail Link (CRL), in huge numbers on its first day of operation. According to Auckland Transport, approximately 61,000 people were recorded getting on the train network.
“This shows how the City Rail Link will revolutionise the way Aucklanders move around their city,” says Richard Harrison, AT’s Director of Public Transport and Active Modes.
“We’ve also had more than double the usual capacity of train units operating today, and we’ve certainly needed them with Aucklanders out in force getting to know the new CRL routes.”
Mr Harrison says hundreds of AT, KiwiRail and Auckland One Rail staff are at CRL stations helping Aucklanders become acclimatised to the new train services.
“They’ve been informing our customers about the new routes and where to transfer, which will become second nature to Aucklanders in the weeks to come.”
With about NZ $ 5.5 Billion in total cost the CRL is the most expensive and biggest public works project in New Zealand history. It took 10 years to build. At the end of June 2026, City Rail Link Limited achieved practical completion of the CRL Project and handed the completed infrastructure – stations and tunnels over to Auckland Transport and KiwiRail as the owners and operators. The CRL was officially opened on 11 September 2026 and services for the public began on Sunday 13 September 2026.
NAN 14-09-26
You might also like:
WATCH: New Auckland City Rail Link in New Zealand – A century in the making
