However, that was later upgraded to the breakdown affecting the frequency of trains on the Southern and Western lines too.
Today’s breakdown is the latest in a series of faults that have affected Auckland’s rail network during the past two weeks.
Last Thursday, a signal failure across the network brought trains to a halt during the morning rush hour, with trains cancelled and delayed for up to 40 minutes.
KiwiRail later revealed the failures were caused by an IT staffer doing unsanctioned work on a firewall.
Earlier this month, Auckland Transport was forced to cancel multiple trains over several days due to KiwiRail implementing speed restrictions on certain tracks due to high temperatures. It also said the delays would continue to occur through until March.
It came after Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown hosted a meeting on February 14 with AT rail bosses, KiwiRail, Auckland One Rail and the office of the Minister of Transport about the troubled network.
“A range of issues were discussed that have been affecting passenger rail services, which include heat restrictions, temporary speed restrictions, delays caused by a transition to a new signalling system at Britomart for the City Rail Link, multiple point failures, staff shortages, and poor communication to customers,” a statement from the mayor read.
Brown said the meeting was focused on the actions required to fix the problems, beginning with KiwiRail carrying out an “aggressive plan” to fix the 4.4km sections of track affected by the heat restrictions.
Brown said the meeting was productive and “went surprisingly well after he had earlier promised to give rail bosses a “bloody good bollocking” during the meeting.
The mayor said Transport Minister Simeon Brown had also been clear he wants Auckland’s transport issues fixed.
“I am thankful for the minister’s support and look forward to working together to bring better transport to Aucklanders,” he said.
