Trial runs on actual commercial routes will begin April 30, ahead of a pilot program to connect and operate KTX and SRT high-speed trains as a single unit.
The trial runs will be conducted four times through May 14. Pilot coupled operations carrying actual passengers will begin May 15.
The trial schedule includes one round trip each on the Gwangju Songjeong Station-Suseo Station route on April 30, followed by the Seoul Station-Busan Station route on May 6, the Seoul Station-Gwangju Songjeong Station route on May 12, and the Gwangju Songjeong Station-Seoul Station route on May 14.
Korail and SR have been checking the compatibility of trains, tracks, and operating facilities in preparation for integrated operation since last December, when the high-speed rail integration roadmap was announced. Since February 25 this year, the two operators have been running a pilot cross-operation service in which KTX trains run to Suseo Station and SRT trains run to Seoul Station.
The pilot coupled operation is a step beyond cross-operation, connecting KTX and SRT into a single train. The two organizations have conducted connection and driving tests between trains at rail yards, and completed software supplementation and verification based on the results in April.
Officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Korail, and SR will board the trial runs to intensively check whether key systems such as communication, braking, and emergency control of KTX and SRT operate without issues when linked in actual operating environments.
Based on the trial inspection results, the two organizations will supplement the integrated operation system, conduct pilot coupled operations, and finalize an optimal integrated train operation plan by September before launching full service.
