KiwiRail says it’s progressing the upgrading and renewal projects across Auckland’s rail network over this Easter holiday period, as the region draws closer to next year’s opening of the City Rail Link (CRL).

Auckland Transport (AT) is running replacement buses on rail routes and regular scheduled buses for Aucklanders who still need to travel by public transport until April 27.

Passenger and freight trains aren’t running during this period of lower demand when schools and universities are closed, and many Aucklanders are on holiday, KiwiRail says.

“The closure enables teams to build on the critical upgrades already completed and major infrastructure projects underway, to be ready for the faster, more frequent train services the CRL will bring.

“The opening of CRL will see trains every five to eight minutes across much of the city, create new connections between east to west and cut journey times, particularly from the west.”

KiwiRail says full shutdowns allow it access to the network “in the most effective, efficient way”, providing its teams with uninterrupted access and allowing them to safely deliver intensive work that’s only possible when there are no trains running.

“We get a huge amount done when there are fewer people needing to travel for school and work,” says David Gordon, KiwiRail’s chief capital planning and asset development officer.

“KiwiRail teams were able to complete major projects over summer, such as the electrification of 19 kilometres of the Papakura to Pukekohe section of the network, as well as extensive track upgrades of the Rail Network Rebuild.

“The 16-day shutdown for the Easter-to-Anzac holiday period will also be part of this concerted push to prepare for the CRL and ensure the metro network is primed and ready for the increase in the number of trains.”

KiwiRail says a major milestone leading up to the opening of the CRL will be completion in coming weeks of the Wiri to Quay Park Third Main Line.

“The country’s first third main line will help to decongest the network at its busiest section – crucial to enabling more frequent trains for commuters when CRL opens, while keeping KiwiRail freight trains moving efficiently into the future.

“The final stages of the Rail Network Rebuild continue to be delivered at significant scale, addressing priority areas to ensure it can support increased services.

“The CRL itself has seen significant progress in recent weeks. Its lines were electrified, allowing for the test trains that now travel daily down the length of its tunnels.

“This is the same route that thousands of Aucklanders will use when the CRL opens in 2026.

“KiwiRail now has operational control of the CRL infrastructure and tunnels during this dynamic testing phase.”

Getting CRL ready for passengers has required an upgrade of priority areas on Auckland’s rail network, the construction and fit out of new stations, and integrating, testing and commissioning new systems.

“Auckland’s new and improved rail network is coming, and we appreciate the ongoing patience of our train passengers,” says AT’s public transport and active modes director, Stacey van der Putten.

“As well as getting closer to being ready for the CRL, we’re also already starting to see the benefits of the work achieved during these extended closures.

“The electrification of the rail line to Pukekohe was completed during the summer closure, and following the Easter closure, peak services to Pukekohe will be doubled, running every 10 minutes.”

Alternative transport options

While trains aren’t running over the Easter closure, there will be bus options available, says Van der Putten.

“We’ll be running full rail replacement bus services stopping at all train stations, as well as express buses on the Southern Line, which were well-used during the summer closure.

“Things will look a little different from the summer closure, with a few bus stop changes on the Western Line and fewer express bus options, so please plan your journey before you travel.

“We know these buses can get busy during peak times, so there’s also our network of frequent scheduled buses, which run at least every 15 minutes and stop at many of Auckland’s train stations.

“Journey Planner is a great tool on our website and the AT mobile app to check what public transport options are available.”

Where KiwiRail is working

During the Easter rail closure, KiwiRail is doing “essential work across a range of projects” such as:

• Progressing the final stages of Rail Network Rebuild: The focus of the Easter works will mostly be on priority areas of the Southern Line between Wiri and Papakura.
• The final stages of the Middlemore Station redevelopment.
• Ongoing work on the Western Power Feed in Glen Eden, which will add greater electricity capacity to the network in Auckland, boosting its resilience and allowing for future growth.
• Nearing completion of the Wiri to Quay Park, Third Main Line project that will separate passenger and freight trains on the busiest parts of the network; this is soon to be opened to freight trains.
• Progressing construction on new train stations at Drury and Paerātā in south Auckland.
• Commissioning signalling at Quay Park.
• Building a third platform and additional tracks at Henderson Station, as well as completing the upgrade of the lifts as part of AT’s station improvements.
• Maintenance work across Auckland, including replacing rails, turnouts, sleepers and ballast.

Freight by road

Because the rail network will be closed to all trains during some of this time, freight supplies usually moved by rail is going on trucks.

This will increase road movements around Auckland, particularly in the south around KiwiRail’s freight hub at Southdown.

KiwiRail and AT says they’re working closely with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and Fire and Emergency NZ to minimise impacts on other road users, modelling alternative routes and traffic management and avoiding busy times whenever possible.