Auckland Transport is pressing ahead with planned closures to the city’s rail network despite record patronage figures, as motorists ditch cars over spiralling petrol costs.
However, the agency says it is conscious shutting down the train system is “never a good thing” for commuters, and it’s assessing whether it can shorten the planned closure to lessen the impact.
A public transport watchdog fears a new wave of public transport users, trying to save money as fuel surges to $4 a litre at some stations, will be scared off when the bus network becomes snarled with rail passengers.
John Reeves, Public Transport Users Association national co-ordinator, told the Herald: “If you use trains and you see a rail bus replacement, I’m sure your stomach sort of drops too. Because mine does”.
The biggest disruption is a three-day full network closure planned during the school holidays.
Other full closures will occur over the long Easter weekend and Anzac Day weekend.
An Auckland Transport spokesperson said deferring the closures could mean an even bigger strain on the network down the track as the City Rail Link (CRL) draws towards completion.
“We try to keep closures to weekends, public holidays and school holidays, so deferring these closures might mean the work would need to take place during school terms when passenger numbers are typically highest.”
The spokesperson said the partial and full closures allowed for works and maintenance to improve the network.
That included works connected with the CRL opening, Henderson Station works, network-wide systems tests and timetable trials.
“In addition, ongoing upgrade works include level crossing improvements, signal works and commissioning, track infrastructure renewals and replacements, safety upgrades, various station renewal works and new south station works.”
The spokesperson said AT tried to “balance” the important work while “remaining conscious that ongoing rail closures are never a good thing, with greater awareness at the moment of the need to reduce closures and impacts as more people turn to [public transport] over the coming weeks”.
“For example, we have reduced the required time for closure by one day for the network-wide systems tests and timetable trials between Easter and Anzac Day.
“Further ongoing review to reduce closures will continue.”
Reeves said the timing was “incredibly unfortunate”.
However, he agreed it was a double-edged sword.
“Ideally, we would like to have it pushed back perhaps through to mid June. However, the City Rail Link has to open this year.”
He hoped bus replacements for the train lines would be up to scratch after being unreliable, in his experience.
“When you get a rail bus replacement, many times they either don’t arrive, or one bus arrives, but there are 60 people at a bus stop,” Reeves said.
Reeves said he was nervous that new public transport users might be deterred when pressure fell on the bus network while train services were offline.
He asked those users to “grin and bear it”.
“April is going to be a rough patch for Auckland rail users.
“And if they’re new to using a train, just bear with it. Yes, use the rail bus replacement service; at least you’re going to save quite a lot of money on fuel and parking. So there’s always that upside to it, no matter what.”
KiwiRail chief metro officer David Gordon said the agency had tried to keep the planned closures over periods where people were not travelling to work or school to minimise disruption.
Gordon said the only full network closure during popular commuter times was between Monday, April 13 and Wednesday, April 15.
Timetable testing for the CRL would be undertaken during this time.
“This testing is critical to launching CRL in the second half of 2026, and pausing this programme of work would only result in delays in bringing better train services to Aucklanders when CRL opens.”
Auckland councillor Alf Filipaina told Ryan Bridge TODAY the works were essential for safety.
“Simple as that. Safety, making sure that the trains, when we end up opening, will run on time. It’s around that, pure and simple.”
Auckland Minister Simeon Brown has been approached for comment.
The network closure comes as the Government plans for future scenarios where the country could face a shortage of crude oil.
Over the weekend, petrol hit $4 a litre in some Auckland suburbs, with an average of $3.30 a litre for unleaded 91 and $3.61 a litre for unleaded 98 across the country.
Some petrol pumps had run dry, despite reassurances from Finance Minister Nicola Willis that the country had enough fuel reserves for nearly two months.
Iran - under military attack from Israel and the United States - has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping route for about a third of global oil exports.
Southern Line:
The line will be fully closed from April 3-6. There will be a partial closure between Puhinui and Pukekohe from April 7-12.
The line will close again from April 13-15.
On April 25, trains will run until 2pm before the line shuts for the rest of the day, followed by another full closure from April 26-27.
Eastern Line:
The line will be closed from April 3-11, with trains running only to and from Manukau.
It will shut again from April 13-15.
On April 25 (Anzac Day), trains will run until 2pm before the line closes for the remainder of the day.
Another full closure is scheduled for April 26-27.
Western Line:
The line will close from April 3-6 and again from April 13-15.
On April 25, services will run until 2pm before shutting for the rest of the day, followed by a full closure from April 26-27.
Ōnehunga Line:
The line will close from April 3-6 and again from April 13-15.
On April 25, trains will run until 2pm before the line closes for the remainder of the day.
The line will then shut again from April 26-27.
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