Auckland's new City Rail Link is already changing how people get around New Zealand's largest city, according to Radio New Zealand.
Auckland recorded 59% more daily train trips in the two weeks after Sept. 13 than in the two weeks before it, an early sign of the project's immediate effect.
Here's what to know
At the center of that increase is the $5.5 billion City Rail Link (originally $3 billion).
It opened new stations at Karanga-a-Hape and Te Waihorotiu, overhauled Mangawhau, and converted Waitematā from a dead end into a through-station, as RNZ reported.
Across buses, ferries, and trains combined, public transport use in Auckland was also 16% higher over those same two weeks, suggesting the rail upgrade may also be encouraging broader transit use.
Auckland Transport said Sept. 13, the day the line opened, became the rail network's busiest Sunday on record.
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More background
Looking back at the same two-week stretch in September 2025, Auckland's rail trips were up 93%, while public transport trips across all modes rose 34%.
Throughout 2025, City Rail Link preparations included maintenance that led to several partial and full closures across Auckland's rail network.
Making Waitematā a through-station rather than a dead end allows trains to move through the city instead of stopping there.
That change can support a busier, more flexible service pattern.
Where can I learn more?
Auckland isn't the only place seeing big changes from rail investment. These stories cover new and expanding rail links in Canada and across Europe.
• In England, a newly completed 103-meter bridge is strengthening rail connections between major regions.
• In Canada, the Alto project could connect major cities faster and reshape intercity travel.
• Between Italy and Germany, low environmental impact trains are set to link major metros.
• In Spain, cost-effective high-speed rail is giving the country an edge in exports.
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