Last week, Auckland’s City Rail Link (CRL) operated a train through its full underground route as part of ongoing testing, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, government ministers, and project partners on board to view progress.

The 5.5 billion NZD project, jointly funded by the Government and Auckland Council, features twin 3.45 kilometre tunnels beneath the city centre. The test journey began at the new Maungawhau Station, travelling through Karanga-a-Hape, Te Waihorotiu, and Waitematā (Britomart) stations before returning to Maungawhau.

Ministers and Mayor ride CRL train under Auckland

© CRL Ltd

With heavy construction complete, the focus is now on commissioning and testing station and tunnel systems ahead of the planned opening in 2026. Since February, more than 1,600 test train movements have been completed to ensure safe and reliable operations.

Auckland Transport Chief Executive Dean Kimpton said:

We can’t wait to show more people just how transformational City Rail Link will be for Auckland’s wider rail network. It allows for a rethink of our train lines giving customers more choice in how the travel and ways get to where they’re going faster.

There’s still a long ‘to-do list’ before we can open in 2026 and together with our partners, we are working hard to be ready for day one. We’re hiring front line staff, procuring new trains, updating bus routes, improving streets, paths and bus stops around our new stations and removing level crossings from our rail network.

When operational, the CRL will be New Zealand’s first underground passenger railway, designed to increase capacity and improve connections across Auckland’s rail network.

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