Auckland's CRL passes first weekday rush hour test, patronage up 20%

<p>Auckland's expanded rail service carried around 20% more passengers than a typical Monday during the City Rail Link's first weekday morning peak today, according to Auckland Transport.</p> <p>Speaking to media at Te Waihorotiu station, Auckland Transport chief executive Stacey van der Putten said the morning had gone smoothly, with an estimated 24,000 extra commuters using the network compared with a normal Monday.</p> <p>"We're pretty happy with how things have gone. It's been a very smooth morning," she said. </p> <p>"You can see lots of people getting on and off, and it's definitely busier than a usual Monday."</p> <p><b></b><a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/player/newsclip/train-vs-car-is-aucklands-new-city-rail-link-actually-faster" target="_blank"><b>Train vs car: Is Auckland’s new City Rail Link actually faster?