Accelerating Level Crossing Management, KAI Collaborates with Danantara to KNKT
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) is accelerating efforts to address level crossings through cross-agency collaboration, as a step to reduce the high risk of accidents in various regions.
This initiative is marked by the Kick Off Meeting for Level Crossing Management held together with Danantara, BP BUMN, the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA), and the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) at the Ballroom of Jakarta Railways Center, Jakarta, on Tuesday (5/5/2026).
Based on data, there are currently 3,674 level crossings in Indonesia, with 1,810 sites prioritised for handling.
Of these, 172 crossings are planned to be closed due to limiting conditions, while 1,638 other sites will have their safety facilities upgraded gradually.
Around 80 per cent of incidents occur at crossings that are not yet equipped with guards, thus driving the need for faster, more targeted, and integrated handling measures.
Director General of Railways at the Ministry of Transportation Allan Tandiono, in his remarks, emphasised that safety is the top priority in transportation operations.
“Nothing is more valuable than human life. Level crossings are the meeting point of two transportation systems with different operating patterns,” said Allan in a written statement on Tuesday (5/5/2026).
“Trains cannot stop suddenly, while road traffic is dynamic. If not managed well, the risks are very high,” he continued.
He added that handling level crossings requires collective involvement from all parties, from central government, local government, operators, to the public.
The approach must be comprehensive, through closing high-risk crossings, improving safety systems, and building non-level crossings in the long term.
Meanwhile, KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin stated that this meeting serves as the starting point for accelerating more concrete steps in the field, as well as a reflection on previous incidents.
“We express our condolences for the incident on 27 April 2026. There were 16 fatalities and 17 passengers still under care, with conditions continuing to improve,” said Bobby.
“This incident serves as a reminder that the responsibility for safety lies with all of us,” added Bobby.
Bobby emphasised that handling efforts will focus on accelerating actions in the field, including the closure of 172 identified crossings, as well as enhancing guards at hundreds of other sites.