Starting from the 25th, KTX trains will operate from Suseo Station and SRT trains from Seoul Station, with reservations available beginning on the 11th.
From the 25th, the South Korean transportation ministry will allow KTX trains to depart from Suseo Station while introducing SRT services from Seoul Station. This initiative is part of a trial project aimed at integrating the services of the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) and SR, getting underway with a few daily round trips to Busan from both stations. The KTX service will feature a single train with 955 seats, making its round trip from Busan to Suseo, while the SRT will serve 410 seats from Busan to Seoul and back.
Tickets for these cross-operated trains will be available starting 11th via KORAIL and SR’s mobile apps, websites, or at station ticket counters. The pricing is geared towards affordability, setting the fare for SRT trips around 10% less than that of KTX. However, passengers need to note that KORAIL mileage will not be applicable on SRT journeys. This integration strategy reflects a broader goal by KORAIL and SR to streamline high-speed rail operations, especially expected to culminate in a full-fledged merge later this year.
Kim Tae-byeong, the head of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's railway department, emphasized the need for swift execution of this integration process while ensuring safety standards. This initiative is aimed at enhancing seat availability and improving service efficiency for commuters, with plans to expand train services in the upcoming third quarter.
