Auckland commuters are being told to make alternative travel arrangements as rail employees have confirmed they will be going on strike this week.

The strike takes place from 2am Friday, for 24 hours, and due to the short notice, Auckland Transport will not be able to put on extra buses in place of train services.

AT's chief transport services officer, Mark Lambert sayid, "We are sorry but with no trains operating, the roads will be busy and there will be delays. People should consider options such as travelling outside peak times, sharing rides, cycling or walking.

"They should also talk to their employer about their work situation."

More than 30,000 people travel by train around Auckland on an average weekday.

The threat of a strike has been looming for several weeks, after the union initially voted in favour of the proposal in November.

The group is unhappy with proposals to axe the train manager role from train services.

The workers' employer, French-owned company Transdev, is determined to reduce crew numbers and introduce driver-only trains, Rail and Maritime Transport Union advocate John Kerr said.

"This plan puts passengers and drivers at risk, and the only reason we can see for it is cutting costs and increasing profit," he said.

Transdev's proposal would make train drivers have responsibility for monitoring door operation and passengers, dividing their attention and significantly increasing the risk of accident, Kerr said. The role is currently done by the train managers.

"Our members don't want to inconvenience the public, especially this close to Christmas, but they will not compromise on the safety of passengers or the rail network," he said.

Ferry and bus services will operate as normal.

Wellington rail workers went on strike for 24 hours on November 16, protesting Transdev's desire to cut working conditions and penalty rates for working weekends.

- NZ Newswire