Auckland rail patronage hits record high following City Rail Link opening

Auckland’s rail network recorded its busiest week ever following the launch of the City Rail Link (CRL) services. Between September 13 and September 19, the network saw 528,007 passenger journeys, surpassing the previous seven-day record of 504,380 set in March 2019.

This represents an approximately 62% increase in patronage compared to the 325,203 journeys recorded the week prior to the CRL opening. Daily usage peaked on Thursday with 85,289 boardings. Transport Minister Chris Bishop described the CRL as one of the most significant transport investments in New Zealand’s history, noting its potential to provide a reliable alternative to car travel.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown highlighted the benefits of shorter travel times and improved access to the city centre. During the working week, service punctuality and reliability remained consistently in the mid-to-high 90% range, reaching 99.3% on the network's busiest day.