Auckland’s new City Rail Link (CRL) has successfully completed its first weekday morning peak, with early figures showing a strong increase in the number of Aucklanders choosing public transport.
According to Auckland Transport, the expanded rail network carried around 20% more passengers than a typical Monday morning, with an estimated 24,000 additional commuters using the network. The first weekday peak was reported to have run smoothly overall, marking an encouraging start for one of Auckland’s most significant transport infrastructure projects.
The weekday test followed a busy opening day, when tens of thousands of Aucklanders took the opportunity to experience the new underground rail connection and stations.
For Auckland businesses and employees, the CRL represents a major change to the way people move around the city. Improved rail connections are expected to make it easier to travel between employment areas, the city centre and other parts of Auckland, while providing commuters with more public transport options.
While a small train fault and several early morning cancellations were reported, services were operating to their destinations and on time later in the morning.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown welcomed the increase in public transport use, while emphasising that reliable public transport should become part of everyday life in a growing city.
For the North Harbour business community, the opening of the CRL is another important development in Auckland’s wider transport network. Businesses and employees are encouraged to keep up to date with public transport services and consider how new connections across the network may provide additional options for commuting and business travel.
Business North Harbour will continue to share relevant transport and infrastructure updates that may affect businesses, employees and travel across the North Harbour area.
Source: 1News, 14 September 2026
Read the full 1News article:
https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/14/aucklands-crl-passes-first-weekday-rush-hour-test-patronage-up-20/
