More Seats, Lower Fares... KTX and SRT to Launch Pilot Coupled Trains from the 15th

Pilot Coupled Train Operation Begins on May 15
Service to Launch on Parts of Honam and Gyeongbu Lines
KTX Fares to Be Reduced by About 10 Percent

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on May 14 that, starting from May 15, it will introduce a 'pilot coupled train' service that connects and operates KTX and SRT trains as a single unit, in collaboration with Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) and SR. It is expected that passengers will be able to access more seats at lower fares compared to the existing system.

Coupled train operation is a method in which trains from different operators (KTX and SRT) are connected and run together, and it is a core technology for the future integrated operation of high-speed railways.

According to the Ministry, this pilot operation is the second phase of expanding integrated high-speed rail operation into actual service, following the cross-operation carried out in February. Since December last year, the Ministry and the operators (KORAIL and SR) have been gradually verifying operational safety through vehicle coupling tests, system compatibility checks, and trial runs on actual service routes.

During this pilot operation, the authorities will check whether key systems such as communication, braking, and emergency control function reliably under real operating conditions. The service will be implemented on parts of the Honam Line and Gyeongbu Line, and on the first day, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-deok will personally board the pilot train to inspect operational safety and passenger convenience. In the initial phase, a driver will be assigned to each train, with an emergency response system in place at all times.

Seat supply expansion will also be pursued. By utilizing additional SRT cars, seat supply will be increased, with services running in parallel. In some sections, the number of seats is expected to be up to twice as many as conventional single trainsets. This is anticipated to alleviate inconvenience during congested periods such as weekends.

The initiative is also expected to help reduce transportation costs. For coupled trains, the fare for KTX will be matched to the lower SRT fare, and KTX fares for departures from or arrivals at Suseo Station will be discounted by about 10%. However, mileage points will not be accrued when using trains with discounted fares. A Ministry official stated, "By allowing passengers to use different trains as one, we expect improved mobility and reduced transportation costs for the public."

Tickets can be reserved through the mobile applications of KORAIL and SR, and there are plans to improve the system so that, in the future, reservations can be made through a single integrated platform.

To raise passenger awareness of the new operation method, the Ministry will also conduct various experiential promotional activities. On May 15 and 16, promotional booths will be set up at Seoul Station and Suseo Station, respectively, to provide information about the coupled train operation to passengers.

Kim Taeseung, CEO of KORAIL, stated, "This pilot coupled operation marks an important turning point for safer and more efficient high-speed rail management. We will prioritize practical service improvements that the public can truly experience."

Minister Kim Yoon-deok said, "This pilot coupled train operation is a significant step forward in advancing integrated high-speed rail management following the cross-operation phase. Based on the results of the pilot, we will thoroughly review safety and operational efficiency and swiftly establish an optimal integrated operation plan to complete high-speed rail integration by September."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.