All the important details for the most exciting thing to happen in Auckland in ages.
When will it open?
In a deeply embarrassing blunder, the announcement of the CRL’s long-awaited opening date was made by billboards that lit up with the news early this morning, hours before transport minister Chris Bishop and Auckland mayor Wayne Brown were due to do the big reveal.
The date? Sunday, September 13.
What will happen on opening day?
The ribbon cutting will be done a few days ahead of the opening. Then, on September 13, extra staff will be out across the network to help passengers figure out the new system.
Will it be crazy busy?
Probably. The opening date was specifically set for a Sunday to avoid the weekday commuter rush. There will be extra services above the normal timetable to handle the expected crowds.
What is it?
If you’ve been living under a rock or stuck in traffic for the past few years, the City Rail Link is a new underground connection that links Auckland’s existing train lines to the city centre.
It takes the form of two 3.45km twin tunnels that run directly between Maungawhau Station (formerly Mt Eden station) and Waitematā Station (formerly Britomart). There are two new stations along the tunnel allowing people to pop up into the centre of the city: Karanga-a-Hape Station (near Karangahape Rd) and Te Waihorotiu Station (near Aotea Square).
Has this been a long time coming?
You could say that. The general idea of a rail tunnel running underneath the city has been floating about for a good century, but planning for the CRL began in earnest in 2013, with construction kicking off in June 2016. Opening was initially planned for 2020 or 2021, then pushed back to 2022, then 2024, and now, here we are: a couple of months beyond what Hayden Donnell predicted back in October 2025, and a week later than Toby Manhire’s prophecy from just over a month ago.
How does it change the existing train lines?
The Southern Line will be renamed the South City Line. Instead of ending at Britomart and backing out again, it will loop through the tunnel to Grafton before rejoining the existing line.
The Western and Eastern lines disappear as separate lines and merge into one East-West Line, which will run from Swanson to Manukau through the city centre. This means trains from the west will no longer have to reverse out of Newmarket station to reach the city and can instead take a more direct route through the tunnel.
The Onehunga Line becomes the Onehunga-West Line. Rather than terminating at Newmarket, it continues to West Auckland as far as Henderson.
How much time will it save me?
It depends on your trip (obviously), but you can start planning right now. The most significant change will be for those heading to or from the two new stations, Karanga-a-hape or Te Waihorotiu, from the east or south. Right now, the most practical option for heading to midtown or K Road by train is to take the line all the way to Britomart and then walk 1.6-2.2km to your destination. A more direct route will save considerable time on the train and on foot.
Commuters from West Auckland who work in the city will be another major beneficiary. Henderson to Te Waihorotiu will take 35 minutes, 24 minutes quicker than today. That’s the largest time saving claimed by Auckland Transport.
The biggest time saver for all users across the network is the wait time at each station. Auckland Transport is promising higher frequency across the network, especially at peak times.
Do I need a new ticket or does my AT Hop still work the same way?
It’s the same. You can use tap to pay with your debit/credit card or phone too.
Can I use my phone in the tunnel?
Yes. All three networks (One NZ, Spark, 2degrees) have built 4G and 5G coverage throughout the CRL tunnels and the new underground stations.
Can I still catch a bus to the same places, or has that changed too?
There won’t be a wholesale reshuffling of bus routes, but a few things will shift because of how the new train pattern works. The two new stations will become bus interchange hubs for the Inner Link and a few other local services. For users of rapid bus services, such as the Northern Busway or Eastern Busway, a direct connection to the underground stations will open up new journeys within the city.
Is the airport link finally faster?
Hahaha. Not really. You’ll still need to catch a bus from the domestic terminal to Puhinui station. But the wait to transfer might be a bit shorter, and you may be able to take the train closer to your destination.
