Korail, SR launch unified membership conversion ahead of integrated rail app

A unified membership conversion process is set to begin as Korail and SR move toward full integration, consolidating their separate customer bases for train ticket reservations.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail) and SR announced Monday that they will launch the unified membership conversion ahead of the planned release of a combined Korail-SR app in August.

The membership conversion is the first step toward enabling customers to use integrated rail services. Starting Tuesday, a dedicated website will allow Korail and SR members to complete the conversion so they can book tickets through a single app.

Tickets for trains operating under the integrated Korail-SR service, which launches in September, will be available for booking through the unified app beginning in August. Customers who complete the membership conversion will have access to greater benefits and a more convenient booking experience.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport also said the conversion is essential for smooth ticket reservations during the chuseok holiday period.

Customers enrolled in both Korail and SR, or in SR only, must complete the conversion manually. Those registered with Korail only will be converted automatically and do not need to take any additional steps.

The integrated rail app is scheduled to launch in early August as an update to Korail Talk. It will allow users to book tickets for all trains operating after the September integration.

The SRT app will retain its booking function after the unified app launches, operating as a non-member reservation channel to minimize confusion for customers who have not yet completed the conversion.

Kim Tae-byeong, director general of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's railroad bureau, said the membership integration is "the first step toward allowing the public to conveniently use the unified app launching in August and the integrated trains beginning in September," adding that the ministry would "do its utmost to provide advance guidance and public outreach to prevent any inconvenience."

Lee Min-seong, head of Korail's passenger business division, said a smooth membership transition was essential to ensuring hassle-free ticket reservations going forward, and urged customers to complete the process as soon as possible. Park Cheol-ho, head of SR's sales division, said the company would strengthen guidance to help existing SRT app users switch to the unified app with ease and take every measure to ensure a seamless conversion experience.