Source: Radio New Zealand
Supplied
With high prices dragging on, officials are being urged to consider putting off work set to shut down our biggest city’s train network for days at a time.
Several full closures on Auckland’s four lines are pencilled in for April.
One block is over the long Easter weekend, and another over the Anzac Day weekend, but there will be another multi-day closure in between those.
Interest in public transport in Auckland is surging as fuel prices do the same.
Councillor Richard Hills said last Tuesday was the city’s busiest day on public transport since 2019.
There were 7,000 more trips than the previous busiest day two days before.
“We’ve got March Madness right now, in April it’ll still be quite busy,” Public Transport Users Association national coordinator John Reeves said.
“Yes, there is an Easter holiday, and there is also Anzac weekend; however, with the petrol prices skyrocketing, I think maybe Auckland Transport and KiwiRail could delay the planned closures, even push it back to possibly May or even June,” he said.
But that would also cause delays down the line, as works continue to get ready for the multi-billion dollar, much delayed City Rail Link (CRL) set to open later this year.
“Yes, there will be a knock-on effect with the City Rail Link opening date, so it’s kind of a no-win situation here, and unfortunately, the passengers come off second best no matter what.”
Reeves said given the uptick in public transport use, it was “probably the worst time” to have line closures with trains replaced by “mediocre” rail replacement buses.
“I think every train user knows that when they see a rail replacement bus is on, you sort of feel quite disappointed, the problem is sometimes they don’t turn up,” he said.
“Personally myself, late at night, the rail replacement bus just has not come at all, and you’re left in the middle of somewhere in South Auckland, wondering how you’re going to get home.”
Reeves said Aucklanders were champing at the bit for the CRL to open, and it would be a game-changer for the city.
“There is a lot of works still required prior to that; then that will delay the City Rail Link opening; however, unfortunately, petrol prices are skyrocketing by the day, so people are wanting to jump on trains, and unfortunately, with line closures, it makes a very disappointing public transport service for them.”
KiwiRail and Auckland Transport have been approached for comment.
Auckland’s upcoming rail closures
Auckland Transport’s planned rail closures calendar for April 2026. Screenshot. Auckland Transport
Southern Line:
The line will be fully closed from 3-6 April. There will be a partial closure between Puhinui and Pukekohe from 7-12 April 2026.
The entire line will close again from 13-15 April.
On 25 April, trains will run until 2pm before the line shuts for the rest of the day, followed by another full closure from 26-27 April.
Eastern Line:
The line will be closed from 3-11 April, with trains running only to and from Manukau.
It will shut again from 13-15 April.
On 25 April, trains will run until 2pm before the line closes for the remainder of the day.
Another full closure is scheduled for 26-27 April.
Western Line:
The line will close from 3-6 April and again from 13-15 April.
On 25 April, services will run until 2pm before shutting for the rest of the day, followed by a full closure from 26-27 April.
Onehunga Line:
The line will close from 3-6 April and again from 13-15 April.
On 25 April, trains will run until 2pm before the line closes for the remainder of the day.
The line will then shut again from 26-27 April.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
