DPR Member Calls for Automatic Barriers at All Level Crossings

A member of Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Hamka B Kady, has stated that level crossings, including those in Cirebon, West Java, need to be equipped with automatic barriers to improve safety for train journeys and road users. “All level crossings should ideally be fitted with automatic barriers,” Hamka said during a working visit of Commission V in Cirebon on Thursday. He noted that level crossings remain a pressing issue requiring attention, as their large number still poses a potential accident risk. According to him, many past accidents were caused by level crossings that were unguarded or did not meet security requirements. “Based on past incidents, there have been quite a lot of casualties caused by level crossings that were unguarded or did not fulfil guarding requirements,” he said. He confirmed that the government, together with PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) and relevant ministries, has prepared measures to improve safety at level crossings. “In line with the President’s directive to see how this level crossing issue can be resolved in both the short and long term, we are here in Cirebon today,” he added. He explained that besides the construction of flyovers and underpasses at several locations, upgrading the security system is considered an important part of this effort. Hamka stated that the presence of automatic barriers can help reduce the potential for accidents, especially at crossings with high vehicle traffic. He added that crossing security needs to be supported by the availability of guards so that field operations run optimally. He also conveyed that efforts to strengthen security must go hand in hand with improving public compliance with rules when crossing railway lines. “The principle is that public behaviour is sometimes unpredictable. Therefore, I always tell PT KAI to please keep watch,” he said. Vice President of PT KAI Daop 3 Cirebon, Sigit Winarto, said that all level crossings in Cirebon City are now equipped with barriers and guarded by officers. He explained that this security is implemented to maintain the safety of train travel and road users, given the high vehicle activity at several crossing points in Cirebon City. “What is crucial is that with the existence of level crossings, the vehicle volume on the road is high. So the solution next year will be the construction of a flyover in Krucuk or on Jalan Slamet Riyadi,” he added.