South Korea’s KTX-SRT Integration Drives Higher Ridership And Capacity

South Korea, October 2026 — Average daily high-speed rail ridership increased by approximately 34,000 passengers, or 11.9% year-on-year, during the first month following the integration of KTX and SRT operations. The Suseo corridor recorded a larger 27.8% increase as additional capacity was introduced.

The integration brought Korail and SR under a unified operating structure from September 1, ending the separate KTX and SRT operating model established in 2016. At Suseo Station, daily seat availability increased by around 16,000 seats, or 30%, while 10 additional train services were introduced. Seat utilisation subsequently fell by four percentage points.

Passenger demand also increased across other service categories. Average daily commuter-pass ridership rose 25.2%, while transfers between high-speed and conventional rail increased 64.9% year-on-year, with around 3,700 additional passengers per day using the expanded transfer discounts. Additional weekday and weekend services have also shortened headways on several regional routes.

The integrated system has also introduced an average fare reduction of about 10%, alongside expanded public discount programmes and a mileage scheme for KTX services departing Suseo. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport estimates that these measures reduced passenger transport costs by approximately ₩22.8 billion in September, with annual savings projected at around ₩280 billion if current levels continue.

Further capacity expansion is planned through additional rolling stock and infrastructure upgrades, including double-tracking the Osong–Pyeongtaek section. The government has linked these measures to its wider objective of creating a nationwide one-hour living zone, while unified safety management is intended to improve coordination across rolling stock, infrastructure and electrical systems.

Source: BigGo Finance