The new City Rail Link in Auckland, New Zealand, opens on 13 September – Image: Auckland Transport (AT)
New Zealand’s biggest ever transport infrastructure project, the City Rail Link (CRL) in Auckland, will after 11 years of construction finally open next month. Costing an estimated $5.5 billion, the 3.45-kilometer twin-tunnel underground rail system in the country’s largest city Auckland connects three new stations and will invite passengers from September 13, 2026. This date was confirmed by the country’s Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown.
The new underground rail system in New Zealand’s metropolis Auckland is run by Auckland Transport (AT) – Image: AT
“This is one of the most significant transport investments in New Zealand’s history, and in just a few weeks Aucklanders will finally be able to use it,” Mr Bishop says.
“The CRL will fundamentally change the way Auckland’s rail network operates, with faster journeys, more frequent services, and better connections across the city.
“Reaching this milestone has taken years of work from thousands of people, including engineers, construction crews, KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, City Rail Link Ltd and many others. Thank you to everyone who helped make this day possible.”
The 3.45km twin-tunnel underground railway and three new stations at in Central Auckland and the suburb of Mount Eden will transform Auckland’s rail network by reducing travel times, increasing train frequencies, improving cross-city connections and unlocking new opportunities for growth in the city centre.
“The good news for Aucklanders and business owners is today’s announcement provides certainty. They can now plan for when our new rail network will open in a few weeks’ time with quicker journeys and better access to the city and work.
“And, for business owners who’ve struggled while the CRL was under construction, they can reap the rewards of being so close to it and the increased foot traffic.
“CRL is a game changer that will unlock many opportunities for the city. It cost too much and took too long but will be appreciated for generations.
“It will shift Auckland up a gear and, along with transport reform, will get Auckland moving!”
What to know about the City Rail Link opening
The biggest change to Auckland’s city’s rail network in generations begins operating passenger services next month now confirmed for 13 September.
The 3.45km twin-tunnel underground railway and new stations at Te Waihorotiu, Karanga-a-Hape and Maungawhau will transform Auckland’s rail network and improving cross-city connections. For the first time, trains will travel through the city centre instead of terminating at Waitematā.
The announcement by the Minister of Transport and Mayor of Auckland comes just under six weeks before opening day, giving Auckland Transport, KiwiRail and Auckland One Rail time to complete the final work to get ready. This will give operational staff and customers time to prepare for the biggest change to Auckland’s rail network in more than 20 years.
The new CRL in Auckland, New Zealand, connects several new stations and is open to passengers from September 13 – Image: AT
“The next few weeks are about making sure Auckland is ready. We’re introducing a completely new rail network, new bus connections, updating thousands of customer touchpoints and helping people understand the new travel opportunities available to them from day one,” says Auckland Transport Chief Executive Stacey van der Putten.
New train services, timetable and stations
Aucklanders can start getting ready to explore the new network. Tickets are now available for the ‘First Look events’ taking place throughout August.
“This is a chance for Aucklanders to look around these stations for the first time and get familiar with how the new network will operate before opening day,” says Stacey van der Putten.
Customers can also start planning future journeys now using Auckland Transport’s CRL Preview Journey Planner, available through the AT Mobile app.
The new CRL in Auckland, New Zealand, boasts modern design and Maori-Art – Image: AT
Trains to run at Christmas and New Year
Along with the addition of CRL to the rail network, Aucklanders will enjoy significantly fewer rail closures, with no full closures needed, says KiwiRail Chief Metro Officer Bevan Assink.
“Following the intensive upgrades we’ve delivered to prepare for CRL, we are progressing a new maintenance regime that allows us to keep trains running more often.
From 13 September, trains and buses in Auckland, New Zealand, will run on a new timetable – Image: AT
“For example, trains will be running across the whole network on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, allowing people to travel into, out of and around the city at this busy festive period.
“There will be short partial closures on two sections of the network starting after Boxing Day until early January, but the majority will remain open throughout the Summer. In comparison, last Summer we closed the full network for 33 days. Those upgrades we delivered for CRL readiness were invasive and intensive but now we have infrastructure ready to reliably support more trains into the future.”
New bus connections
Alongside the introduction of the new rail network, Auckland Transport is making a range of changes across bus services to improve connections and support more seamless journeys.
“We are making sure the wider public transport network is ready to support the City Rail Link, with changes that strengthen links between buses, trains and the communities they serve,” says Stacey van der Putten.
Public transport buses connect Auckland International and domestic airports in New Zealand with the new CRL into the inner city – Image: AT
Before the City Rail Link opens, Auckland Transport is encouraging all bus users to check the Journey Planner. Some existing bus services will have minor timetable adjustments from 13 August to provide better connections with trains in east, south, west and central Auckland.
Auckland Airport to CRL-City Connections
We asked for the best public transport connection from Auckland Airport to the Inner City for incoming, international visitors.
“The Airport Link (AIR) bus provides a frequent connection from both the domestic and international terminals at Auckland Airport, to the rail network at Puhinui Train Station,” said Joel Rowan, CRL-Manager, Communications & Engagement. From Puhinui Station travellers can access CRL trains into the City.
“Once the City Rail Link opens, and the new rail network begins operating, Puhinui Station will be served by both the East West Line (E-W) and the South City Line (S-C). These lines both connect through the city centre, at stations Waitematā (in the downtown area, near the waterfront), Te Waihorotiu (in the midtown area, near the Sky Tower), and Karanga-a-Hape (in the Karangahape Road neighbourhood). Visitors heading to the city centre will be able to board either service, creating frequent connections to the city centre.”
NAN/AT 10-08-26
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