An investigation is being launched and KiwiRail has issued an apology after dozens of passengers were stranded for hours on a regional commuter train and Auckland the rail network was thrown into disarray. 

Auckland trains continue to be cancelled and delayed after a mechanical problem on the Waikato-Auckland service caused major issues across the network this morning. 

KiwiRail spokesman Britton Broun said the issue happened shortly after 9am today as the train was travelling from Hamilton to The Strand in central Auckland. 

“Unfortunately, the train stopped near The Strand on the section of line between Parnell and Britomart – blocking one of the two tracks. 

“The train has now arrived at The Strand where the 44 passengers can disembark. 

Broun said KiwiRail is sorry for the disruption to our Te Huia passengers and Auckland commuters and will be investigating the cause of the mechanical fault. 

The blockage caused widespread delays on the Western Line, Southern Line and Eastern Line lines, and Onehunga lines. 

Auckland Transport said passengers should continue to expect further delays and cancellations while recovery is in progress. 

“Replacement buses are still running. Onehunga line services have been suspended until further notice. 

“AT advises those train users to check the AT Mobile App for changes and to consider using bus services for parts of their journey. Bus operators will be accepting train tickets.” 

Passengers could be seen sitting pressed up against Te Huia’s window’s just before midday, waving at other passing trains. 

Passengers were left waiting in stationary trains midway through their morning journey. 

A passenger on a Western Line train from New Lynn to city faced a 40-minute delay, just before noon, and another passenger travelling on the Southern line from Homai to Britomart told the Herald that the train she was travelling on came to a halt just outside Parnell while delays were resolved. 

The train had since been permitted to complete its journey into the downtown Auckland station.  

The Te Huia service first opened in April 2021, and transports an estimated over 5000 passengers a month.  

Last month, Kiwi Rail announced increased services for 2024, when starting in February, a third daily return service will run on Thursdays and Fridays, where demand has been highest, and a second return service on Saturdays. \