Closure of Level Crossings May Cause Traffic Congestion and Cripple Local Economy

BEKASI, KOMPAS.com — The plan to close several level crossings across Indonesia, including in Bekasi City, West Java, is seen as potentially causing social and economic impacts if done without adequate alternative access solutions.

Public transport analyst and Advisor to the Indonesian Transport Society (MTI), Djoko Setijowarno, said closing level crossings aims to improve railway travel safety.

“Closing all level crossings is indeed the ideal solution for railway travel safety. But technically and socially, it will face several complex hurdles,” Djoko told Kompas.com via message on Thursday (28/5/2026).

Djoko explained that one major potential impact is increased traffic congestion due to vehicles rerouting to other road segments.

“Closing even one level crossing forces traffic to shift to other roads. If all are closed without adequate underpasses or flyovers, vehicle loads will pile up on main roads,” he said.

He noted this would also affect travel time efficiency and increased fuel consumption for the public.

He added that many level crossings currently serve as vital links between villages and main economic activity routes.

“It could also lead to disrupted social interactions and the decline of local economies. Shops, warungs, and small businesses around crossings would lose customers,” Djoko said.

He also warned that public resistance to the closure plan is likely if the government does not involve residents in planning.

“The cost of building a single flyover or underpass can reach hundreds of billions of rupiah. Therefore, strict priority scaling is needed,” he said.