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Korea's high-speed rail cross-operation service on track with pilot

Published: 25 Feb. 2026, 17:47 Updated: 25 Feb. 2026, 19:31

An SRT train, left, and a KTX-Sancheon train wait side by side for departure at Pohang Station in Sept. 2023. [NEWS1]

A pilot cross-operation between Korea’s two high-speed rail services began Wednesday ahead of a planned integration of KTX and SRT, with KTX trains operating into Suseo Station and SRT trains pulling into Seoul Station.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport launched the trial cross-operation with Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail) and SRT operator SR starting Wednesday.

The test will run trains without distinguishing between starting and terminal stations or train types, checking the efficiency and stability of integrated operations at major endpoints such as Seoul Station and Suseo Station, according to the ministry on Tuesday.

Under the pilot, KTX runs one round trip a day between Suseo Station and Busan Station, while SRT runs one round trip a day between Seoul Station and Busan Station.

The Suseo-bound KTX service departs Busan at 10:33 a.m. and arrives at Suseo at 1:08 p.m., then departs Suseo at 1:55 p.m. and arrives in Busan at 4:14 p.m.

The Seoul-bound SRT service departs Busan at 11 a.m. and arrives at Seoul Station at 1:47 p.m., then departs Seoul Station at 2:19 p.m. and arrives in Busan at 4:50 p.m.

With the cross-operation, Suseo Station will see KTX-1 trainsets with 955 seats, a 133 percent increase from the 410-seat SRT trains currently used there. The ministry expects this to ease booking difficulties for Suseo-departing high-speed rail services, which have faced chronic seat shortages.

A KTX train undergoes a test run for safety checks at Suseo Station in Seoul on the afternoon of Feb. 10, ahead of a pilot cross-operation service. [NEWS1]

During the pilot period, Suseo-origin KTX fares will match current SRT prices, though passengers will not accrue separate mileage points. Meanwhile, SRT fares from Seoul Station will average about 10 percent below KTX fares on the same routes.

No end date has been set for the pilot, and the ministry said it will continue until a fully integrated operating system is in place.

Staff members will ride trains during the first week of the trial to check safety and service quality, while keeping emergency response systems running at all times to address any issues immediately, according to the the ministry, Korail and SR. Operating times, stops and fare information will also be provided through mobile apps, station displays and social media.

Based on the results of the pilot program, the government and operators plan to draw up an integrated operating plan to improve fleet efficiency and maximize seat supply, while also moving ahead with service integration and facility upgrades.

“This cross-operation is the first tangible step toward integrating high-speed rail,” said Hong Jee-sun, second vice minister of land, infrastructure and transport. “We will create changes the public can feel by expanding seat supply and improving services.”

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY JEONG JAE-HONG [[email protected]]