Expert urges public to await KNKT investigation into Bekasi train incident

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Public transportation expert from Parahyangan Catholic University (Unpar), Prof. Tri Basuki Joewono, has urged residents or the entire Indonesian public to wait for the results of the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) investigation into the train collision in Bekasi, West Java, on Monday (27/4). “Let us wait for the KNKT investigation results. Hopefully, the investigation results can be completed and published soon,” said the expert, who is also the Rector of Unpar, when contacted from Jakarta on Tuesday. The Professor in the field of Civil Engineering at Unpar further explained that all parties need to wait for the KNKT investigation results in order to provide appropriate solutions or recommendations related to post-incident improvements in the future. “I suggest waiting for the KNKT investigation results. After that, it can be evaluated together to delve deeper, and then alternatives for solutions can be sought,” he said. Meanwhile, he reminded that the solutions or recommendations should not be limited to solving problems at the surface level only. But it can solve up to the root of the problem. “The role of all parties to delve deeper, then compile comprehensive proposals becomes something important,” he stated. The chronology of the accident that occurred on 27 April 2026 is suspected to have begun with the electric rail train (KRL) on the Bekasi-Cikarang route with code 5181 hitting a taxi unit at a railway crossing near Bulak Kapal, Bekasi, West Java. As a result, the KRL with code 5568 heading to Cikarang stopped at Bekasi Timur Station. However, the long-distance train Argo Bromo Anggrek on the Jakarta-Surabaya route hit the KRL, penetrating several carriages. Metro Jaya Police revealed that until Tuesday (28/4) afternoon, 15 people had died as a result of the incident. On a different occasion, President Prabowo Subianto stated that the government is preparing a budget of up to Rp4 trillion to repair 1,800 railway crossing points on Java Island. In addition, the President approved the construction of an elevated road in Bekasi to prevent the recurrence of railway crossing accidents.