Driver ignored signal in train crash<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A signal malfunction was the main cause of a train crash that
\nkilled five people and injured over 100 others in Pasar Minggu,
\nSouth Jakarta on June 30, the National Commission for
\nTransportation Safety (KNKT) said on Monday.<\/p>\n
Commission chairman Setio Rahardjo said that on the day of the
\naccident, the train driver ignored the red signal, thinking that
\nthere was a signal problem, which is commonplace at the station.<\/p>\n
He said that in June alone, the signal system at the crash
\nlocation malfunctioned at least 25 times.<\/p>\n
\"The high frequency of signal malfunction has prompted train
\ndrivers to ignore the signals,\" Setio told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
He also said that one day before the accident, the signals
\nwere also red, but the driver just drove past and nothing
\nhappened.<\/p>\n
Setio, however, blamed the driver for not using the handy
\ntalky to seek permission from the station master in the next
\nstation.<\/p>\n
According to the existing regulations, the driver must stop if
\nthe signal is red.<\/p>\n
However, if the signal is red for quite some time, the driver
\nmay leave the station at a speed of less than five kilometers per
\nhour after securing permission from the station master at the
\nnext station.<\/p>\n
Setio said the KNKT team had reported the result of its
\ninvestigation to Minister of Transportation Hatta Radjasa.<\/p>\n
In its report to the minister, he added, KNKT proposed 18
\nrecommendations to improve the safety system. The commission also
\nrecorded 20 findings that might cause train crashes.<\/p>\n
\"The most important recommendation is that the Ministry of
\nTransportation must periodically hold a safety audit on its train
\noperations,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Other recommendations include prohibiting passengers from
\nriding inside the driver's compartment, improving communication
\nsystems, and placing assistant drivers in each train car.<\/p>\n
Setio said his team found that there were 15 passengers inside
\nthe driver's cabin, a poor communication system, and high
\nfrequency of signaling problems.<\/p>\n
The commission also recorded 118 total victims -- five
\nfatalities, 40 seriously injured, and 73 with minor injuries.<\/p>\n
Asked about the follow up of its report, Setio said it was in
\nthe hands of the transportation minister. \"My job is already
\nfinished. It is up to the transportation minister to follow up
\nour recommendations and findings,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, transportation expert Ahmad Syafrudin said that
\ntrain drivers allowed passengers to ride inside their cabin in
\norder to get extra income.<\/p>\n
\"As a train user, I know that train drivers would not leave
\nthe station if they have less than 22 passengers in their cabins.
\nPassengers staying in the driver's compartment are asked for an
\nadditional Rp 2,000 each for the drivers,\" he said, adding that
\nstation masters knew of the practice.<\/p>\n
Ahmad, who is secretary-general of The Clean Air Partnership
\n(MEB), advised PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) to stop corrupt
\npractices in the company, including those perpetrated by train
\ndrivers and ticket controllers.<\/p>\n
\"The company loses billions of rupiah every month because it
\nfails to punish ticket controllers, who collect money from
\npassengers aboard trains. If the company saved the money, they
\ncould improve not only the communication and signaling system,
\nbut it could also buy new trains,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/driver-ignored-signal-in-train-crash-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}