Auckland One Rail is preparing for the biggest change to the city’s rail network in generations, with the announcement this morning by Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, that passenger services through the City Rail Link will begin on Sunday 13 September.
Auckland One Rail CEO, Martin Kearney, says, “At Auckland One Rail, our team of 840 people have been preparing for this for a long time. We’re really excited and all pushing to make this a huge success.”
Auckland One Rail is preparing for strong public interest on opening weekend, with additional staff and ambassadors across the network to help customers navigate the new stations, services and connections.
“It’s a huge event and New Zealand’s largest ever infrastructure project. But this where Auckland One Rail will show New Zealand how we operate a real rail system,” says Martin.
Auckland One Rail has been actively involved in preparing for Day 1 – training station staff and train crews, testing of systems in the new stations, designing timetables and operating plans, preparing the EMU (electric multiple unit) fleet and overseeing other operational aspects as well as running business as usual services on the Auckland metro network.
The 3.45km twin-tunnel underground railway and new stations at Te Waihorotiu, Karanga-a-Hape and Maungawhau will transform Auckland’s rail network, reducing travel times, increasing train frequencies, improving cross-city connections and unlocking new opportunities for growth. For the first time, trains will travel through the city centre instead of terminating at Waitematā.
Today’s announcement comes just under six weeks before opening day, giving Auckland Transport, KiwiRail and Auckland One Rail time to complete the final work to get ready, and giving customers time prepare for the biggest change to Auckland’s rail network in more than 20 years.
Details of opening day celebrations and special passenger services will be announced closer to September 13.
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