The KTX Mileage Discount System will be introduced by the Korea Rail Corp. to provide discounts and additional services based on the distance passengers travel.
President Hong Soon-man of Korail said on July 7 that Korail will do its best to compete with the SRT, which is scheduled to be launched in November from Suseo, Gyeonggi Province.
The current discount system allowing a special fare for pregnant women and others will be combined with the mileage discount pending the completion of a study on the new system, he said.
The CEO added that the mileage system will have an advantage in marketing, while cutting various expenses, adding that a number of cars will also be increased to cope with the increase in the number of passengers.
Around 200,000 passengers ride KTX trains annually on 138 trains. By 2020, the number of passengers is likely to hit 300,000, requiring Korail to expand the number of trains. Hong thinks the schedule can be expanded rather than increasing the number of rail cars.
Hong cautiously opposed the government’s move to boost passenger ticket prices, while at the same time welcoming Korail taking part in civilian railroad projects. He said private investments in the railroad are welcome, as the government has no way to invest in new railroad construction projects.
Hong also noted that safety has to be the most important matter for Korail, adding that within a year the company should have a special system to investigate rail accidents to find root causes.
They are also analyzing data on past rail accidents to prevent similar accidents from occurring again in the future, the Korail CEO said.
KORAIL has expertise in many fields of railway operations, including consulting, feasibility study, project management, system engineering, technical advice, turn-key project, risk management and staff training.
In all the sectors covering railway administration, technology development and management, KORAIL says it pledges to provide the best service.
KORAIL says it is ready to transfer its know-how in:
- Organization and personnel management at railway operators
- Feasibility study and design of technical support for railway operation
- Technical support for railway operation
- Budgetary plan for railway modernization and construction
- Train diagrams for efficient train operation
- Education and training
- Operation and maintenance of rolling stock as well as the electrical, signaling and communications systems
Hong was previously president of Korea Railroad Research Institute and has held key positions in government transport divisions, including head of Aviation Safety Headquarters, as well as in the Transport Policy Office and in the Railway Bureau at the Ministry of Land Transport and Maritime Affairs. He holds master's and doctorate degrees from Washington State University.
Hong says a strong commitment to safety management is at the top of his agenda. A Safety Management Division will operate under his direction, which aims to eradicate safety weaknesses and adopt best practices in terms of safety from other transport systems. He also outlined five initiatives to achieve his goals: establishing a strategic work system, an advanced safety system, exceptional customer service, a sustainable development structure, and productive labor management relations.
In addition, Hong vowed to promote creativity, ingenuity and the use of innovative technologies by the operator, including the adoption of double-deck passenger trains, and double-stack freight trains.
"I will dedicate all of my time and effort to transform Korail into the world's top global rail operator, fully taking its role and responsibility as an eco-friendly public transport provider," Hong said in his inauguration address.
Hong replaced Dr.Choi Yeon-Hye, who resigned earlier this year to become a ruling party proportional representation candidate in the April 13 general election. At number five on the party's list, she was elected despite the Saenuri party losing its overall majority.
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A view of a building where Korail has offices.(Photos: Korail)
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