Trains began running through Auckland’s brand new underground rail tunnels for the first time on Sunday, 13 September 2026, marking the official opening of the City Rail Link after nearly a decade of work.
The project cost about $5.5 billion and includes 3.5 kilometres of tunnel running underneath the Auckland CBD. It connects two brand new underground stations, Te Waihorotiu near the Sky Tower and Karanga-a-Hape on Karangahape Road, New Zealand’s first major underground railway stations.
The very first service left Ōtāhuhu just before 5am and arrived at Karanga-a-Hape station at 5.22am. Extra trains ran all day to mark the occasion, with services through the tunnel running about every four minutes at busy times.
Auckland Transport chief executive Stacey van der Putten said trains from right across the network would be travelling through the tunnel from early in the morning, “so there will be plenty of opportunities to be part of this historic day.”
CRL Ltd chairperson John Bridgman admitted the project was a little behind schedule. “Everyone says this project is late. Yes, we’re not up to the projected timelines, but we’re only six months late in a nine-year project,” he said.
Children under 13 travel free, and bikes and scooters are allowed on board. Auckland Transport says a full new timetable will be in place within six months.
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