A vision realised: what the opening of the CRL means
Celebrate!
From Sunday 13th September 2026, an actual real Auckland Rapid Transit (ART) network will exist, for us all to use and enjoy!
You can see it – and its artful name – on the map below.
Comprised of three rail lines and five rapid bus lines, all in various stages of development, this multi-modal retro-fit of Aotearoa’s biggest city is one hell of a massive achievement.…
38 Comments How we got the CRL: Interview with Simon Bridges
To mark the opening week of the City Rail Link, here is the second interview in our ongoing series on the origins of the project. This one is with former transport minister, and former leader of the National Party, current chair of Waka Kotahi/NZTA, and CE of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Simon Bridges.…
The (really good) Auckland Motorway Strategic Plan
Waka Kotahi/NZTA has released an important new document for our region: the Auckland Motorway Strategic Plan (AMSP), which is fully endorsed by the Minister of Transport Chris Bishop and Mayor of Auckland Wayne Brown.
It’s really very good; comprehensive and reality-based.…
ART of the metro
At last!
Shine down on us Robbie, we’re actually getting there.
In the same week that two brand new – and already wildly popular – city centre sculptures have been unveiled, and the opening date for our fabulous new underground urban railway was announced, Auckland Transport has also quietly agreed with our artful pitch on naming the top-tier transit services.…
We have a date! CRL opens 13 September
In exciting news, at last we have the date confirmed for the launch of the City Rail Link:
Sunday 13th September 2026
Whoop whoop! Here’s the Government media release. The official announcement was planned for 9am, and we’ve observed the embargo out of politeness.…
What an exciting thought :)
We love receiving positive comments and emails from the non-cynics out there. Occasionally there’s an idea in the inbox that is both so good and so timely, we leap to share it.
Today’s example is especially relevant and appealing in the current context, with the reckless commitment of future transport funding by the current government to low-value, high risk, duplicate mega-highways in the exurbs.…
Build this beautiful, affordable and visionary new bridge
The following is an op-ed which ran in the Sunday Star Times and online in The Post on July 12th 2026.
You can find more information about the bridge proposal here. The way we routinely approach big transport problems is broken.…
How we got the CRL: Interview with Len Brown
Late last year I sat down outside Waitematā Station with the Godfather of the CRL to discuss how he did it, plus some further ruminations on our city’s development.
As we count down to the opening of the City Rail Link, just a matter of weeks now, it is really interesting to go back over how the project was fought for and finally approved.…
Te Ara Tupua: Resilience and choice
Next weekend I’m heading down to the capital for Matariki and to ride Te Ara Tupua. In advance, I’ve been thinking what we can learn from the evolution of this corridor over time.
I was last there in January 2026, when Waka Kotahi kindly gave me a tour of the nearly complete project: Land Bridge
The best way for Aucklanders to think about this key link between Wellington City, the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa is that it’s their Harbour Bridge.…
Unlocking value and choice in getting around
An excellent new £4.5b Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy was recently released in the UK. Low cost, high value, win win.
The policy has three key objectives: 1. Enable more people, particularly the least active, to benefit from physical activity through active travel
2.…
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