Aucklanders travelled through the heart of their city by train for the first time today, as passenger services officially began on the City Rail Link-enabled rail network, marking the biggest transformation of Auckland's rail system in generations.
From before dawn, hundreds of train enthusiasts queued across the network for the chance to be among the first to ride New Zealand's first underground railway.
The Rush to Be First
More than 400 people made their way to Ōtāhuhu Station specifically to catch the very first passenger train through the new tunnels, with some travelling from as far as Cambridge and Lower Hutt just to be part of the moment.
One of them was 23-year-old Taylor, who took an Uber from Drury and waited from 3.40am to secure the front spot in the queue.
"It's exciting to see Auckland's future coming to fruition," Taylor said. "It's definitely worth getting up early for."
How the First Journey Unfolded
The very first train to reach a new City Rail Link station was a South City Line service, departing Ōtāhuhu at 4.57am and arriving right on time at Karanga-a-Hape Station at 5.22am, before continuing on to Te Waihorotiu and Waitematā stations.
For train photographer Alex, capturing the moment was worth the early alarm.
"I'm excited to see Auckland's rail network expand through the city centre properly," Alex said, adding that more frequent trains across the wider network was just as exciting as the new tunnels themselves.
Also on board and around the network were families, elected members, and many of the people who had spent years designing, building and testing the new system, all keen to finally experience it as passengers rather than as workers behind the scenes.
The Numbers Tell Their Own Story
|
Measure |
Today |
Same Time Last Sunday |
|
Passengers carried so far |
Approximately 14,300 |
Approximately 6,800 |
That is more than double the usual Sunday patronage, a strong early signal of just how much interest the new network has generated on opening day alone.
A Massive Collaborative Effort
Getting to this point required coordination across multiple organisations. The opening brought together City Rail Link Ltd, Auckland Transport, KiwiRail and Auckland One Rail, all working to prepare the railway for service, with funding, direction and oversight provided by central Government and Auckland Council.
Auckland Transport Chief Executive Stacey van der Putten was on board the first train and said the emotional payoff after years of construction was obvious.
"For years Aucklanders have watched the City Rail Link take shape beneath the city. Today they finally got to experience it for themselves," van der Putten said.
She said the atmosphere across the network throughout the day had been genuinely infectious to be part of.
What's Actually New
The City Rail Link introduces two brand new underground stations, Karanga-a-Hape and Te Waihorotiu, and enables a redesigned, higher-capacity rail network across the wider city.
Three new lines are part of the redesign:
- East-West
- South-City
- Onehunga-West
Together, these are designed to give customers better connections and more direct ways to move between different parts of Auckland.
"A Bit Emotional" for the Teams Behind It
For those who helped build the project, today carried a different kind of weight. KiwiRail Chief Metro Officer Bevan Assink said watching the system finally carry real passengers was a deeply personal moment.
"Thousands of people have poured their heart and soul into this project," Assink said. "Seeing first-hand trains carrying customers through the City Rail Link and witnessing Auckland's new rail network come to life was a bit emotional."
He said crews would continue working around the clock to keep the network running safely and reliably as more Aucklanders begin using it.
Celebrations Across the Network
Opening day was not just about the trains themselves. Ambassadors were stationed across the network to help customers navigate the new stations and connections, while free coffee, live entertainment and other opening-day activities added to the celebratory mood throughout the day.
What Happens Next
The celebrations will give way to regular scheduling fairly quickly. Monday 14 September marks the introduction of the first full weekday timetable running through the City Rail Link, with trains operating every four to five minutes through the new stations during peak periods.
Auckland Transport is encouraging commuters to use the Journey Planner tool and familiarise themselves with the new network and its connections before their first weekday commute through the new system.
This article is based on a media release issued by Auckland Transport and KiwiRail.
