▲ A double-linked train is parked at the platform of Seoul Station on September 1, when KTX and SRT integrated operations began following the completion of the institutional integration between Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) and SR.
Daily average high-speed railway passenger numbers increased by approximately 34,000 compared to last year during the roughly one month following the integration of KTX and SRT.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) announced today (October 1) that the daily average high-speed rail passengers from September 1 to 27 increased by 11.9% compared to the same period last year.
Ridership on the Suseo axis rose by 27.8%.
However, analysis suggests that Chuseok holiday demand may have been partially reflected as the holiday period was included in the tally.
Last year's Chuseok holiday fell in October.
The Ministry emphasized that this is the effect of increased seats and operation frequency resulting from the high-speed rail integration.
In particular, at Suseo Station, where booking difficulties were severe, the ratio of passengers to supplied seats dropped by 4 percentage points as supplied seats increased by about 30% (16,000 seats) and operation frequency increased by 10 trips.
During the holiday transport period, 8.8% more seats were supplied than during last year's Chuseok.
Commuters and students using regular passes increased by a daily average of 25.2%, and the number of members for the newly launched integrated app "KORAIL+" reached 20 million.
As trains were increased by 23 trips on weekdays and 26 on weekends, the operation intervals for lines such as the Jeolla, Donghae, and Gyeongbu lines, which previously had long intervals, were reduced by an average of 4 minutes.
New routes via Seodaejeon and Gupo were also established.
The fare burden has been reduced.
Following the integration, high-speed rail fares on KTX routes were lowered by 10%, and a mileage system was introduced for KTX departing from Suseo.
Public discounts for pregnant women and youths were also expanded.
The Ministry estimated that approximately 22.8 billion won in public transportation costs was saved last month through these measures.
Converted on an annual basis, this amounts to around 280 billion won.
In addition, as transfer discounts between high-speed and conventional railways were expanded to all high-speed trains, daily average transfer passengers increased by 64.9% compared to last year.
An additional 3,700 people per day received transfer discounts.
As of August, foreign high-speed rail passengers increased by 79.5% compared to last year.
Following the expansion of the train booking window for foreigners to "two months before departure," the Ministry plans to increase foreign language guidance services from 7 to 10 languages.
The Ministry and KORAIL plan to hold a commemorative event at Seoul Station on October 2 to present the future vision for railways.
The initiative aims to establish a nationwide 1-hour living zone by expanding track capacity, such as the Osong-Pyeongtaek 2-track expansion, and continuously deploying new rolling stock.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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