By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
DAEJEON - For the first time since the debut of high-speed rail services here in 2004, Koreans will soon be travelling on bullet trains produced domestically.
The KTX-II will start services on March 2, making Korea one of the few developers of high-speed trains alongside Japan, France and Germany.
The train made by Hyundai Rotem is expected to spur the expansion of domestic high-speed railways and become one of Korea's key strategic export products.
The railway authorities are hoping that the upgraded KTX will change the way Koreans travel and create more demand for inter-regional high-speed railways.
"We will try to change the existing travelling patterns, which rely more heavily on cars than trains," Korail President Huh Joon-young said Thursday.
"The brand value of KTX has been rising consistently. With the KTX-II, we are one step closer to becoming one of the world's premium builders of high-speed trains."
He was speaking at a ceremony to mark the introduction of what the Korail calls a "completely different riding experience."
The trains will be run between Seoul and Busan as well as between Yongsan and Gwangju/Mokpo, four times a day.
Many experts say that now is the time for Korea to place more policy priority on building more intercity high-speed railways and expand the country's total length of railways.
"Train exports are important, but we must be more active in expanding domestic railways," said Kang Byoung-soo, a senior Korail engineer.
"Our roads are already full. A small country like Korea is ideal for the high-speed rail movement, providing an intricate link across all corners of the country.
"Additional lines, such as the East-West railway, should be realized as soon as possible."
The proposed East-West Railway has been under discussion, at the National Assembly and regional authorities, to connect the country's eastern and western industrial cities for economic synergy and regional unity.
Some have also proposed a Honam, South Jeolla to Jeju underground railway aimed at serving as a new tool for growth for the underdeveloped southwestern region.
The National Assembly has approved a budget for a feasibility study on the proposal from March through May.
Since the introduction of bullet trains in 2004, the number of passengers riding slower intercity trains, such as the Saemaeul and Mugunghwa services, has fallen.
In 1997, trains accounted for 8 percent of total domestic freight transportation. The figured dropped to 6 percent in 2007, according to the Korea Transport Institute.
Since 1996, Korea has spent 222.5 billion won to develop the KTX-II.
The KTX-II trains are designed to provide 5 centimeters more leg room than the original KTX and with seats that can rotate 360 degrees. Passengers can enjoy access to wireless Internet and mobile TV, lounges and business rooms.
The KTX-II's maximum speed is 350 kilometers per hour, matching that of the current KTX model made by France's Alstom.
The 10-car trains consist of eight passenger cars and two engines at either end, and seat 363 passengers in two classes.
Because of the enlarged space, KTX-II has about 100 less seats, prompting Korail to seek a 5-percent price hike. The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, however, has shown a lukewarm response over such a rise.
For the time being, tickets will be sold starting on Feb. 23 at the same price charged for services on the original KTX trains.