Weekly Review No.142
Inside this edition: City Rail Link opening date revealed, Drury and Paerātā stations open to the public and DX locomotives arrive in South Africa.
Kia ora and welcome to the Weekly Review. A quick apology: the Weekly Review is a little light on content, as I have started a new job and have been busy focusing on that. Regular posting will resume over the next month.
Did you know we are on X, Bluesky and Instagram? Follow us @NZTransitBuzz.
The New Zealand Transport Agency’s chief executive says the country is set to enter a “golden era” of public transport, as long-awaited projects come online.
HEB Construction has shared an update on the Waihoehoe Road upgrade project. Over Matariki weekend, crews installed all 13 bridge beams for the new bridge over the rail corridor. The new bridge replaces the existing 2-lane bridge, which will connect to Drury Station.
Work is now focused on reinforcing the bridge deck ahead of an upcoming concrete pour, while crews prepare a gravel raft for the expanded polystyrene foam-fill abutments and get ready to begin works on Great South Road.
By Emma Maguire via Medium: In December, amid a fit of grief and anxiety, I spent the day walking the length of the Makaraka line. Makaraka to Gisborne; 5ish km, what I expected to be about an hour’s walk…
HEB Construction has shared photos from the first steel pile installed for the temporary transition berth as part of the Waitohi Ferry Redevelopment Project with Port Marlborough. A commemorative plaque was also signed by the team and is made from a pile offcut.
Auckland Transport has released the first issue of the Western Rail Crossings Newsletter. In the newsletter, they shared details from community information sessions, online feedback, their new project page and the new ad campaign.
He has been labelled the godfather of the City Rail Link by many, but Len Brown is quick to point out it was a team effort to get the $5.5 billion rail project underway.
Locals and future passengers spent Saturday exploring the new Drury Station as well as the new Paerātā Station ahead of the official first day of services on August 2.
Also on Saturday, a special dignitaries train departed Drury Station bound for Paerātā Station, with local MPs, contractors, and ministers onboard as the first passengers between the two new stations. Auckland Transport used the recently repainted AM144 for this special service.
NZ Transit Buzz, along with locals, enthusiasts and future passengers, had their first proper look at the new Drury and Paerātā Stations ahead of opening for service. We captured a full gallery of images from each station, check them out here.
FEATURE: Exploring Drury and Paerātā Stations
While much of the media attention has been focused on the City Rail Link tunnels and stations, significant works have been underway on three new South Auckland train stations.
Both Drury and Paerātā stations officially opened for service early on Sunday morning. The first service to arrive at Paerātā was at 6:21 am and the first service at Drury was 6:28 am.
The Wellington Cable Car reopened on Monday morning following its 2026 annual maintenance shutdown. Services resumed at 7:30 am.
Franklin Local Board member Merritt Watson has shared that at Tuesday’s (04/08) Franklin Local Board workshop, Auckland Transport will be presenting options to change Route 391.
Now that the new Paerātā and Drury stations are open, AT will be reviewing some of the existing routes to see if they can better serve Pukekohe and the surrounding communities.
Route 391 currently travels along Seddon Street, but parts of that route now overlap with the 394 service. AT has identified three options:
1. Keep the route exactly as it is.
2. Move it from Seddon Street to Edinburgh Street.
3. Move it via Franklin Road and Stadium Drive.
What happens if a train derails - or crashes into another train? What if there’s an explosion deep underground? What if there’s some kind of attack? Given the nature of public transport, CRL organisers have had to prepare for everything. Imagine the worst, then work out how that might play in reality.
Sunday, September 13 is understood to be the date favoured by Auckland Transport to open the $5.4 billion City Rail Link, although nothing has yet been announced officially and Transport Minister Chris Bishop has issued a “no comment”.
NZ Transit Buzz understands that Waitematā 2, Auckland Transport’s second hybrid-electric ferry, has been undertaking sea trials in Whanganui ahead of being delivered. Waitematā 1 & 2 are being built by Q-West in Whanganui.
New anti-throw netting and higher fences have been installed on the existing footbridge at Middlemore station. The staircase and walkway have also received new handrails. The new footbridge at the North end of the station also has the new netting.
Auckland Transport has apologised after a passenger was told to get off a bus as their disability assist dog wasn’t muzzled.
Final works are underway on the new pedestrian bridges at Takaanini and Te Mahia Stations ahead of the bridges opening to the public this month. An exact opening date is not yet officially confirmed, but NZ Transit Buzz sources say they are likely to open to the public on August 11.
Signpost Signs has shared a video showing their team printing and installing the temporary bus wrap for Bayes Coachlines #149 while it was being used as the Tottenham Hotspur FC team bus while they were in Auckland.
The passenger information displays for the two new bus stops by Drury Station on Great South Road are in a fault state and showing an incorrect destination. The signs are reading ‘non -stopping service keep back’.
The first 8 of 46 former KiwiRail DX locomotives sold to Traxtion in South Africa have arrived in the country. The locomotives will be serviced at the Pretoria Rail Hub before the trains enter service.
HEB Construction has shared photos of the under-construction Kauri Street Bus Depot for Metlink. The project includes the construction of 6,000m² of heavy-duty pavement and the installation of underground services, including more than 6,000m of heavy-duty ducting.
Auckland Transport has confirmed to NZ Transit Buzz that Westgate Bus Station will open for passenger service on August 16.
The former low fences at Newmarket Station have been replaced with full-height glass panels on either side of the main station entrance. The new panels feature Auckland Transport’s fish scales motif.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown have on Thursday morning confirmed that the City Rail Link will open on 13 September. This confirmation comes after a date was leaked accidentally this morning on a billboard on Fanshawe Street.
CRL Opening, what you need to know:
CRL station open days throughout August at all 3 stations
No full network summer rail closure (still two section closures to be detailed)
AT making changes across bus services to improve connections
Details of opening day celebrations and special passenger services will be announced
Interislander are parting ways with its former shuttle bus, a 2000 Nissan Diesel SCORPION. It’s not yet clear what will replace the bus, but the former shuttle can be purchased from Turners on TradeMe.
Smith Cranes have assured KiwiRail in lifting a stuck locomotive, allowing for the replacement of an 18-tonne bogie. The train was lifted in place, with the work taking place, then the train was lowered back onto the replacement bogie.
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