20 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland 1010
Private Bag 92250, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
+64 9 355 3553 | at.govt.nz
2 March 2026
Michael Mellor
[FYI request #33633 email]
Your request for information under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
(LGOIMA) – CAS-1281541-M2Q3N1
Kia ora Michael,
I refer to your request for information dated 06 February 2026 seeking timetables around CRL live testing.
I request full details, by line, of the train timetables designed to be implemented when the City
Rail Link is opened, including al options that are under consideration, in particular (but not
limited to) the timetable recently subjected to live testing. I would like this information to be in
electronic spreadsheet format, compatible with Microsoft Excel.
Please find the timetable used for ful network CRL testing on 26 and 27 January 2026, in the attachment
titled “CRL Day 1 TEST.” The information is highly technical and intended for expert interpretation; as such,
the following context and visual representation may assist understanding.
This test of the new timetable, known internal y as Test Case 72 (TC72), involved the execution of a
timetable that differed materially from the current operational timetable. TC72 tested increased train
frequency, with more services operating to more stations across the region, using different operational
patterns – alongside passenger information systems.
It included conducting the first dry run of the new train service pattern, including:
• Morning and evening peak simulations;
• Transitions between peak and off peak service levels;
• High-frequency peak service levels;
• Disruption recovery scenarios;
• Concurrent operation of passenger, freight, and interregional services (e.g., Northern
Explorer, Te Huia).
The morning peak, for example, testing included up to 16 trains per hour, per direction (TPHD) through the
CRL tunnels and 20 TPHD through the Westfield Junction. The service pattern as published is provided
below.
The intention of the test was to identify issues early to enable corrections ahead of the next round of
testing planned for April, and to inform the further development of the final timetable, and the approach to
introducing it.
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Should you believe that we have not dealt with your request appropriately, you are able to make a
complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman in accordance with section 27(3) of the LGOIMA and seek an
investigation and review regarding this matter.
Ngā mihi,
Phil Wratt
Engagement Manager
Customer Care
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