South Korea integrates KTX and SRT high-speed rail services

South Korea has officially integrated the operations of the KTX and SRT high-speed rail services, ending a decade of split management between Korail and SR. The integration, which began on the 1st of the month, has resulted in increased train frequencies and a broader supply of seats across major lines.

On the Honam Line, weekday services increased from 95 to 100 trips, while the Jeolla Line saw weekend service expand from 45 to 54 trips. Specifically, Gwangju Songjeong Station now sees 96 high-speed train trips per day. The total daily seat supply has increased significantly, with weekend additions reaching several thousand seats on key routes.

Passenger fares have also been adjusted downward to align KTX pricing with SRT levels, representing an average reduction of approximately 10%. For example, the fare from Yongsan to Gwangju Songjeong decreased from 46,800 won to 42,000 won. Additionally, the reservation system has been unified, allowing passengers to book tickets through the ‘Korail+’ application or the Korail website. The first major test for the integrated system will be the Chuseok holiday ticket reservations starting September 7th.