ALS Bus in Another Accident: Effect of Deadly Buses Roaming or Hellish Roads?

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Another fatal accident involving a bus has occurred, claiming the lives of 16 people. Previously, a single-vehicle accident involving a PO Cahya Trans bus at the Krapyak toll exit in Semarang City, Central Java, on Monday (22/12/2025) in the early hours, killed 16 passengers and left one person with minor injuries.

This time, a deadly collision occurred involving an ALS bus with licence plate BK 7778 DL and a fuel tanker truck. The accident took place on the Jalinsum Simpang Danau road in Karang Jaya Village, Karang Jaya Subdistrict, Muratara, South Sumatra, on Wednesday (6/5/2026) around 12:00 WIB.

Tragically, a year ago, an ALS bus on the Medan-Bekasi route with licence plate B 7512 FGA also suffered a fatal accident, killing 12 people. It is suspected that the accident occurred due to brake failure on the bus travelling from Bukittinggi to Padang City.

Citing detikoto, Aiptu Iin Shodikin, the Traffic Unit Head of the Muratara Police Resort, explained the chronology of the ALS bus accident, which was travelling from Lubuklinggau to Jambi. It is suspected that the ALS bus entered the oncoming lane to avoid a pothole, resulting in a collision with the fuel tanker.

“According to the surviving bus conductor, the bus swerved to the right. It is suspected to have been avoiding a pothole, causing it to enter the opposite lane and collide head-on with the oncoming fuel tanker,” said Aiptu Iin, quoted from detikoto on Thursday (7/5/2026).

As a result, 16 people died from burns, including the bus driver, and two of the fatalities were the tanker truck driver and his assistant.

So, until when will fatal accidents continue to occur?

Moreover, citing detikoto, the ALS bus in question had an expired permit. The bus transport permit expired on 4 November 2020. It is noted that the ALS bus was registered to serve the Terminal Amplas (Medan)-Terminal Tawangalun (Jember) route.

Nevertheless, the periodic vehicle test (KIR) for the ALS bus is still valid until 11 May 2026. The last KIR test was conducted on 11 November 2025 at the Medan City Transportation Agency, valid for six months.

Djoko Setijowarno, Advisor to the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI), stated that in Indonesia, road accidents have become commonplace and seem not to be taken seriously.

“Even though on average 100 people die every day from traffic accidents. The government has indeed been negligent regarding road safety,” he stressed when contacted by CNBC Indonesia on Thursday (7/5/2026).

“The KNKT must conduct an investigation because the number of victims is significant. A year ago, on 6 May 2025, the same operator had an accident in West Sumatra. At that time, 12 people died,” he said.

Therefore, added Djoko, the government must act firmly. This includes, he said, not cutting the safety budget at the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub).

“Now there is an emergency in road transportation safety. The Public Transport Company Safety Management System (SMK PAU) must be implemented immediately. Every day, on average, 100 people die from traffic accidents in Indonesia,” he stated.

“Do not cut the safety budget at Kemenhub. The government is still negligent regarding road transportation safety. Immediately establish a Safety Directorate at the Directorate General of Land Transportation, Ministry of Transportation. Do not cut the operational budget of the KNKT,” Djoko emphasised.

Hellish Potholed Roads, What Can the Public Do?

Regarding the suspicion that the bus driver was trying to avoid damaged and potholed roads, triggering the accident, Djoko reminded that the public has the right to report damaged roads and the obligation to report deviations in road use.

He said that the emergence of deadly potholes is clear evidence of negligence by road authorities. Furthermore, suspicions of personal interests behind allowing roads to remain damaged further worsen the situation for the public, whose basic rights to safe roads are neglected.

“We still often encounter damaged roads and access that has not been perfectly built. This condition is not merely a technical issue but a real obstacle that hampers community economic and social activities,” he said.

“Roads built at great cost seem futile due to the absence of oversight on vehicle loads and poor maintenance,” Djoko stressed.

He outlined a series of regulations that serve as the legal framework for potholed roads, including obligations and sanctions if ignored.

“The legal framework regarding road damage in Indonesia is based on two main pillars: Law No. 22 of 2009 on Road Traffic and Transportation (LLAJ) and Law No. 38 of 2004 on Roads, which has been amended by Law No. 2 of 2022. These regulations clearly define the responsibilities of road authorities as well as legal consequences for parties negligent in maintaining road functions,” he said.

“It is important to understand that road repair responsibilities are divided based on their status. National roads are managed by the Ministry of Public Works, provincial roads by the Governor, while district/city roads are under the authority of the Regent or Mayor. Therefore, before reporting or filing a lawsuit, ensure you know who manages the road so that complaints are targeted correctly,” said Djoko.