More trains, later nights: Auckland's rail network gets summer shake-up

Author: Rachel Maher,
Publish Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2026, 3:21pm

Aucklanders heading out for a night on the town will soon have more trains to get them home, with services running every 15 minutes until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

The changes, taking effect on November 22, are part of the first timetable upgrades since the City Rail Link opened in September, and will add 48 evening services each week.

West Auckland commuters will also benefit, with more peak-hour trains between Morningside and Henderson, bringing services to every seven to eight minutes.

Auckland’s City Rail Link opened on September 13, transforming the city’s rail network. Photo / Corey Fleming

Auckland Transport chief executive Stacey van der Putten said the changes would make it easier for people to travel into the city during the warmer months.

“As Auckland heads into a busy summer, it will soon be easier for people to use more frequent evening rail services to go to restaurants, bars, gigs and events,” she said.

“Running trains every 15 minutes until later in the evening gives more people flexibility to make public transport part of their plans for enjoying everything happening in Auckland as we head towards the festive season.”

Auckland Transport chief executive Stacey van der Putten says the changes will make it easier for people to enjoy the city’s nightlife. Photo / Corey Fleming.

When the $5.5 billion City Rail Link opened on September 13, trains began running every 15 minutes throughout the day, up from every 20 minutes.

The latest changes will extend that frequency by three hours on Friday and Saturday nights.

After 11pm, trains will continue running every 30 minutes, with the final services leaving the city between 12.30am and 1.18am, depending on the destination.

Peak-hour East West line services that currently run between Sylvia Park and Kingsland will be extended to Henderson.

The change will add 110 extended services each week for stations between Morningside and Henderson, providing eight trains an hour during peak periods.

Waitākere councillor Shane Henderson said the popularity of trains from West Auckland had been encouraging, but the initial City Rail Link timetable had not suited everyone’s working hours.

“I’m happy to see that has now been addressed with extended peak services so more people have time savings from trains coming every seven to eight minutes.”

Waitākere councillor Shane Henderson says the changes will address concerns about the initial City Rail Link timetable. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

The announcement comes after Auckland’s rail network recorded its busiest day and month.

More than 108,000 train trips were made on Friday, October 30, while 2.1 million trips were recorded across the network in October.

Van der Putten said the changes reflected growing demand for public transport for commuting and leisure.

“We are seeing more people choose public transport for everything from commuting to nights out. These changes are about keeping pace with demand and responding to that.”

Auckland Transport is extending 110 weekly peak-hour services to stations between Morningside and Henderson. Photo / Michael Craig

Further timetable changes are expected early next year, including more frequent peak-hour services on the South City line between the city centre and Ōtāhuhu.

The updated timetable will be available through Auckland Transport’s website, mobile app and Journey Planner from November 8.

Rachel Maher is the education correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. She also covers other topics such as Auckland issues, crime and local government. She started at the Herald as a breaking news journalist in 2022, before joining the Auckland team this year.