제 29 호 Toward a Unified High-Speed Rail System: KTX–SRT Integration
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Toward a Unified High-Speed Rail System: KTX–SRT Integration
By Ji-Won Choi, reporter
Starting on February 25, the first attempt toward the integration of SRT and KTX will be implemented. Cross-operation will begin, with SRT departing from Seoul Station and KTX departing from Suseo Station. This pilot operation marks the practical starting point of operational integration and serves as a process to verify efficient and flexible operation of high-speed rail without distinguishing between departure and terminal stations or train types, including Suseo Station and Seoul Station. SRT plans to operate one round trip daily between Seoul Station and Busan Station, while KTX plans to operate one round trip daily between Suseo Station and Busan Station. By deploying KTX trains, which have more than twice the number of seats compared to SRT, at Suseo Station—where ticket reservations have been difficult—it is expected that passengers using Suseo Station will have a wider range of seat options.
Major Changes
In addition to the cross-operation mentioned above, several integration policies are scheduled to be implemented. Starting in June 2026, KTX and SRT will be interconnected and operated freely between Seoul Station and Suseo Station without distinction. For example, on the Seoul–Busan route, after the integration, trains will depart from Seoul, pass through Busan, and continue on to Suseo and Pohang, operating in a more flexible route structure. Second, the reservation and ticketing system will be integrated. Payment and ticket issuance for both KTX and SRT will be available through a single application. In addition, fare discounts will be introduced for transfers between SRT and Korail’s general trains (such as ITX-Maum). Cancellation fees will also be waived when changing between KTX and SRT trains. By the end of this year, a plan to launch an integrated corporation between Korail and SR will be promoted. With full integration and operation, the number of seats supplied per day is expected to increase by 16,000.
Background of the Integration
SRT separated railway operations on the grounds of introducing a competitive railway system and increasing service efficiency. In 2011, it was promoted in the form of privatization under the justification of “advancement of public enterprises.” However, it was suspended at the time due to strong opposition to railway privatization. Later, in 2013, SR, a public corporation whose shares were divided among Korail and the Government Employees Pension Service, was established to dualize high-speed railway operations. Since 2016, SR has operated SRT, and the competitive system between KTX departing from Seoul Station and Yongsan Station and SRT departing from Suseo Station has continued for ten years.
However, problems caused by the separation of institutions have been consistently raised. While SRT operated only routes departing from the Gangnam area of Seoul, Korail was solely responsible for operating deficit routes to mountainous and remote areas, which worsened Korail’s financial condition. In addition, although the institutions were separated, vehicle maintenance, the control system, and train leasing all depended on Korail.
There were also many overlapping costs between the two institutions, including labor and facility expenses. According to the 2022 “Analysis of the Structural Evaluation of the Railway Multiple Operator System,” the competitive system between Korail and SR generates 40.6 billion won in overlapping costs annually. As a result, criticism continued that SRT took the profits while KTX bore the burden.
Furthermore, the dual system of KTX and SRT caused considerable inconvenience for users. First, reservations had to be made separately through the Korail Talk app for KTX and the SRT app for SRT, and transfers between Seoul Station and Suseo Station were inconvenient due to their separation.
Advantages and Concerns of the Integration
First, one of the advantages is the easing of seat shortages. As the supply of high-speed rail seats is expected to increase by about 16,000 seats per day, competition for reservations is likely to be reduced. Second is the convenience of booking. With the integration of the applications, reservations are expected to become more convenient from the user’s perspective. Third, the range of choices for train use will expand, enabling more flexible route operations. Since both KTX and SRT will be available at all stations, users’ options for train selection will increase. Lastly, through institutional integration and the resolution of overlapping structures, operational efficiency is expected to improve and cost reduction effects can be anticipated. On the other hand, there are also concerns. If the two institutions are merged, competition will disappear and a monopoly supply structure may be formed, raising concerns about possible fare increases or a decline in service quality in the long term.
Passenger Interviews
A senior at Sangmyung University who frequently uses Suseo Station said, “It was inconvenient because it was difficult to book SRT tickets on weekends, but I expect that the range of seat choices will expand if KTX operates together.” A sophomore who commutes using Seoul Station said, “If the integration takes place, the reservation apps will be unified into one, which seems more convenient. However, I am also concerned that fares might increase if competition disappears.”
The integration of SRT and KTX is not merely a change in railway policy, but a decision that reshapes the way people travel and experience daily convenience. In particular, for university students who travel between regional areas and the capital region for academic purposes, high-speed rail is a means of transportation directly connected to their daily lives. If the expansion of seat supply and the integration of the reservation system lead to tangible improvements in convenience, the mobility burden on young people could be significantly reduced. However, if fare increases or a decline in service quality occur after the competitive system is dissolved, the burden will once again fall entirely on the younger generation. Therefore, this integration should not simply be a merger between institutions, but a reform centered on users. If the integration process moves forward in a direction that considers not only efficiency but also public value and accessibility, high-speed rail will become a foundation that provides a better travel environment for the younger generation.
Source:
https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/economy/economy_general/1233492.html
https://www.korea.kr/news/policyNewsView.do?newsId=148959926
https://newneek.co/@saltylife/article/38788
