SOCAR announced on the 24th that its KTX bundled reservation service is forming a new trend in long-distance travel with high cost-effectiveness and convenient accessibility.
As a result of analyzing user data from the 'SOCAR-KTX bundled reservation service,' it was found that 1 in 5 users are experiencing SOCAR for the first time through bundled reservations, receiving high responses among users.
The SOCAR-KTX bundled reservation service allows users to book train tickets and car-sharing vehicles at once through the SOCAR app. Users can plan their travel from ticket issuance to car-sharing vehicle reservations near their arrival station in a one-stop manner, reducing the hassle of booking separate transportation for each segment.
High cost-effectiveness is cited as a key factor in the popularity of the bundled reservation service. Considering the long travel time for long-distance trips, SOCAR provides up to a 40% discount on car-sharing for KTX bundled reservation users. As a result, the average usage time for bundled reservation users was found to be 23 hours, which is 83% longer than regular car-sharing. A SOCAR official noted, "It becomes a more practical means of transportation by reducing price burdens while allowing for extended use."
The high perceived benefits of credit accumulation have contributed to the activation of the service. SOCAR provides 10% of the KTX ticket payment amount as credits, which can be used like cash in various services within the SOCAR app, including car-sharing, electric bicycles, and accommodations. Since the launch of the service until last year, users have accumulated an average of 20,000 credits per person, with the member receiving the most credits accumulating approximately 1.15 million won.
High accessibility through SOCAR zones established at major KTX stations is also contributing to the competitiveness of the service. Currently, SOCAR operates over 3,000 vehicles at around 650 SOCAR zones near a total of 60 KTX stations. Users can use their reserved vehicle immediately without waiting for a bus or taxi when traveling from the train station to their destination. This has gained significant response among middle-aged individuals with a high demand for long-distance business travel such as business trips, fieldwork, and workshops.
In fact, the proportion of members over 40 using car-sharing linked to KTX was found to be 32%, which is 9 percentage points higher than non-linked car-sharing users. Additionally, the weekday usage rate was only 3 percentage points lower than the weekend, confirming that it is utilized for various purposes beyond travel, including work.
Looking at the data by region, 9 out of 10 car-sharing uses from the bundled reservation service occurred in non-capital areas outside of Seoul and Gyeonggi. Notably, the regions with high utilization of car-sharing linked to KTX were found to be ▲Gyeongbuk ▲Gangwon ▲Jeonnam ▲Busan in that order.
Park Mi-sun, head of SOCAR Next Division, said, "Data from the SOCAR-KTX bundled reservation service serves as an important indicator showing users' needs for efficient and convenient travel and SOCAR’s capability to meet them." She added, "Moving forward, we will strive to enable everyone to experience seamless 'streaming mobility' by additionally linking various modes of transportation, including cars, bicycles, and aircraft."