Auckland's entire train system has remained closed as commuters return to work from the summer break, with even a partial rail service still days away.
While most passengers in Wellington got back on track yesterday, public transport users in the supercity will wait longer as KiwiRail maintenance and upgrade works continue.
The weeks-long shutdown, which started on December 27, involves more than 1300 workers upgrading tracks, platforms and level crossings at over 40 sites across Auckland.
Passengers have been urged to consider both rail replacement bus lines, which don't carry as many people as trains, and regular bus services to continue their travel.
Trains return from next Monday
Limited services will resume on Monday, January 19, but only on parts of the network.
The Western Line will remain closed, while the Onehunga Line will be the only one to resume its normal weekday service. On the Southern Line, trains will only run between Newmarket and Puhinui, terminating and beginning at Manukau.
Stations on the Eastern Line between Waitematā Station (Britomart) and Ōtāhuhu will also remain closed.
All lines and stations will shut again on January 27 and 28 for City Rail Link timetable testing. Unusually, trains will be running throughout but won't be carrying passengers.
Full services are expected to resume on January 29.
Why officials say they need to shut down the network
KiwiRail is completing the rail network rebuild programme across the city.
Work includes building a third platform at Henderson Station, removing level crossings, and upgrading track, drainage and foundations.
Auckland Transport's director of public transport and active modes, Stacey van der Putten, said the work was needed before the City Rail Link could open.
"This work is essential to getting City Rail Link up and running, without it we simply won't be able to run more trains, more often," van der Putten said.
However, this was far from the first summer shutdown of train services in Auckland.
The full closure of timetabled services in summer has become normal in the past decade with KiwiRail trackwork and maintenance taking place over December and January.
More closures coming
The network will close multiple times throughout early 2026 for further rail works.
- February 6 to 8 (Waitangi Day weekend): Full network shutdown
- February 28 to March 1: Eastern and Southern lines fully closed, Western Line closed between New Lynn and Swanson
- March 14 to 15: Partial closures across all lines
- March 22: Full network shutdown for CRL testing
- April 3 to 6 (Easter weekend): Full network shutdown
- April 7 to 12 (school holidays): Partial closure
- April 13 to 15: Full network shutdown for CRL testing
- April 25 to 26 (Anzac Day): Trains run until 2pm on April 25, then full network closure
Buses will replace trains during all closures.
As for the City Rail Link, Auckland Transport has confirmed the underground 3.5km railway and three new stations will open in the second half of 2026.
John Campbell rides the rails with an exclusive look at Auckland's City Rail Link - watch on TVNZ+
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