KiwiRail will progress upgrade and renewal projects across Auckland’s rail network over the Easter holiday period later this month, as the region draws ever closer to next year’s opening of the City Rail Link (CRL).
Auckland Transport (AT) will run replacement buses and regular scheduled buses for Aucklanders who still need to travel during this period.
KiwiRail teams have preparations well underway to make the most of the Easter Rail Upgrade from April 12 to 27. Passenger and freight trains won’t be running during this time of lower demand when schools and universities are closed and many Aucklanders are on holiday.
Auckland Transport 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.
Full shutdowns allow KiwiRail access to the network in the most effective, efficient way, providing teams with uninterrupted access and allowing them to safely deliver intensive work that is only possible when there are no trains running. Work will happen during nights and weekends, as well as days, to get more done in a shorter space of time.
“We get a huge amount done when there are fewer people needing to travel for school and work. KiwiRail teams were able to complete major projects over summer, such as the electrification of 19kms of the Papakura to Pukekohe section of the network, as well as extensive track upgrades of the Rail Network Rebuild,” says David Gordon, KiwiRail’s Chief Capital Planning and Asset Development Officer.
“The 16-day shutdown set for the Easter-to-Anzac holiday period will also be part of this concerted push to prepare for the City Rail Link and ensure the metro network is primed and ready for the increase in the number of trains.”
A major milestone leading up to the opening of the CRL will be the completion in the 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 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.
There is, however, some good news for Franklin commuters.
AT Director of Public Transport and Active Modes, Stacey van der Putten, says: “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 during 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.”
She recommends using the Journey Planner on the AT website and the AT Mobile App to check what public transport options are available.
