Bekasi Train Accident Draws Attention: Why Can't Trains Stop Abruptly?
The collision between KA Argo Bromo Anggrek and the Cikarang Line KRL at Bekasi Timur Station on Monday evening, 27 April 2026, has left deep sorrow. By Tuesday afternoon, 15 people had died and 84 others were injured.
All victims received treatment at several hospitals, including RSUD Bekasi, RS Bella Bekasi, RS Primaya, RS Mitra Plumbon Cibitung, RS Bakti Kartini, RS Siloam Bekasi Timur, RS Hermina, as well as RS Mitra Keluarga Bekasi Timur and Barat.
Following the incident, the public has questioned why the KA Argo Bromo, on the Gambir-Pasar Turi route, did not stop immediately to avoid the accident. There is also a major question about why trains find it difficult to perform emergency braking.
Regarding this, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) provided an official explanation in 2023. The statement was issued after the accident involving a train and a truck in Semarang and Bandar Lampung on 18 July 2023.
At that time, KAI’s Vice President of Public Relations, Joni Martinus, explained that in terms of the braking system, trains are a type of transport that requires distance to come to a complete stop.
“Unlike general land transport, trains have technical characteristics that prevent sudden braking,” he said in his official statement on Friday, 21 July 2023.
Factors Why Trains Cannot ‘Brake’ Suddenly
Joni also explained the reasons why trains cannot perform sudden braking. The first factor relates to the length and weight of the train consist. He stated that the longer and heavier the train consist, the longer the distance needed for the train to come to a complete stop.
In Indonesia, one train consist typically consists of 8 to 12 carriages with a weight of up to 600 tonnes. This weight does not include passengers and their luggage. Under such conditions, a large amount of energy is required to stop the train consist.
The second factor relates to the braking system, which generally uses air brakes. He explained that the air brake works by compressing air and storing it until the braking process occurs.