Kia ora!
We hope you and your whānau are safe and well. This is to keep you updated on upcoming changes to Auckland’s train services that may affect your travel – specifically the upcoming full and partial rail closures from 3 – 27 April 2026.
Preparing for City Rail Link’s opening later this year includes upgrading Auckland’s rail network, completing supporting station and signalling works, and running timetable trials. Summer rail closures delivered major improvements, and further work is still underway.
Remaining work includes:
- Building new pedestrian overbridges at Takaanini, Te Mahia and Glen Innes stations.
- Escalator renewals at Waitematā and bridge safety improvements and lift renewals at Middlemore stations.
- Henderson Station upgrades.
- Continued construction of the new Drury, Ngākōroa and Paerātā rail stations.
- Upgrading signalling equipment between Ōrākei and Sylvia Park stations, and Homai to Papakura stations.
- Completing the next round of testing for City Rail Link
To get this work done as quickly as possible and to reduce long-term disruption to train services, there will be several days of full and partial closures on Auckland’s rail network during the April School Holidays and Anzac weekend.
We acknowledge there is a higher demand for public transport as fuel prices increase, however the works happening during the April rail closures are part of a critical path to completing CRL work and ultimately opening the new services and network to Aucklanders. Reprogramming these works could cause delay to not only CRL but also other projects causing potentially significant increased costs, and delays to continual improvement in reliability and performance of the existing network.
April rail closures
Timeline
- Friday 3 to Monday 6 April 2026 (Easter long weekend) – full rail network closure
- Tuesday 7 to Saturday 11 April 2026 – Eastern Line closed.
- Tuesday 7 to Sunday 12 April 2026 – Southern Line closed between Puhinui to Pukekohe. Trains will run between Puhinui and Waitematā, and will service Manukau.
- Monday 13 to Wednesday 15 April 2026 – full rail network closure for City Rail Link testing.
- Thursday 16 April 2026 – normal rail services resume.
- ANZAC Day weekend closure – trains will run until 2pm on Saturday 25 April, following this there will be a full rail network closure until Tuesday 28 April 2026.
Rail replacement buses
Rail replacement buses will be available when trains are not running, including weekday express buses on the Southern Line and Western Line. We have a team who will be live monitoring rail bus capacity during closures and deploying extra buses if required. Find out more about rail replacement buses on our website: April Rail Closures
Safety reminder
A reminder that during City Rail Link testing on 13-15 April that even though passenger trains will be unavailable, trains will still be travelling across the train network and passing through road and pedestrian level crossings. For your safety, always stop to check both ways for trains before crossing the tracks. Stay alert to stay safe.
Upcoming Closures
For the latest updates and to help your school community plan ahead, visit: Planned rail closures.
Stay Connected
If you have any questions, or would like to arrange a meeting with our team to discuss travel arrangements, please email Annabelle Wrigley | Senior Communications & Engagement Specialist – Auckland Transport at annabelle.wrigley@at.govt.nz. Thank you for your support and understanding as we work to deliver a safer, more reliable rail network for all.