UPDATED 9.25am: Commuters in central Auckland could be waiting a very long time for a train.

Auckland Council has delayed the Inner City Rail Link project to 2018, and the Government could hold it up to 2020 if employment targets aren't met.

Transport Blog editor Matt Lowrie says the employment targets are an odd measure.

He says we don't see those targets added to any other project, other than this one specifically.

Matt Lowrie says there isn't even enough vacant office space in Auckland's CBD to meet the targets, making them impossible.

Lowrie says it makes the project even more expensive.

"Just by delaying the City Rail Link by two years adds an extra $100 million in inflation."

Matt Lowrie says if the Government remains stubborn and delays it to 2020, it could end up increasing council debt by $270 million.