The CRL will allow for significantly improved travel times to the city centre and across the entire rail network.
Without the CRL, higher frequency services wouldn't be possible as the number of trains is limited by the dead-end terminus at Waitematā (Britomart).
The CRL also widens passengers' options of where to catch and alight from a train - with the new station midtown Te Wai Horotiu (Aotea) and Karanga a Hape (Karangahape) station uptown off Karangahape Road
Here is an indication of the radical effect on train travel times. The current times below are based on taking a train to Waitematā and then walking to midtown or taking a bus to Karangahape Road. This will change with the opening of the two new stations.
