DPR Member Calls for Automatic Barriers at All Level Crossings
All level crossings should be equipped with automatic barriers.
Hamka B Kady, a member of Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), stated that level crossings, including those in Cirebon, West Java, need to be equipped with automatic gates as an effort to improve the safety of train journeys and road users.
“All level crossings should ideally be equipped with automatic barriers,” Hamka said during a working visit by Commission V of the DPR in Cirebon on Thursday.
He noted that level crossings remain a significant issue requiring attention, as their high number continues to pose a potential risk for accidents. According to him, many accidents occurring to date have been caused by level crossings that are either unmanned or do not meet safety requirements.
“Based on past incidents, there have been many victims caused by level crossings that are not guarded or do not meet guarding requirements,” he said.
He confirmed that the government, together with PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) and relevant ministries, has prepared handling measures to increase security at level crossings.
“In accordance with the President’s directive to see how the issue of level crossings can be resolved in both the short and long term, we are here in Cirebon today,” he added.
He explained that, in addition to the construction of flyovers and underpasses in several locations, improving security systems is considered a vital part of these efforts. Hamka stated that the presence of automatic barriers could help reduce the potential for accidents, particularly at crossings with high vehicle traffic.
He further noted that crossing security needs to be supported by the availability of guards to ensure optimal field operations. He also emphasised that strengthening security must go hand-in-hand with increasing public compliance with regulations when crossing railway tracks.
“The principle is that public behaviour is something we sometimes cannot guarantee. Therefore, I always tell PT KAI, please ensure they are guarded,” he said.
Sigit Winarto, Vice President of PT KAI Daop 3 Cirebon, stated that all level crossings in Cirebon City are currently equipped with gates and are manned by officers. He explained that these security measures are implemented to ensure the safety of train travel and road users, given the high volume of vehicle activity at several crossing points in Cirebon.
“The crucial factor is that the volume of vehicles at these level crossings is high. Therefore, the solution for next year will include the construction of a flyover at Krucuk or on Jalan Slamet Riyadi,” he added.