House Speaker: Railway Security Systems Must Be Improved

House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani has urged the government to evaluate railway security systems following the collision between the Argo Bromo Anggrek train on the Gambir-Surabaya Pasar Turi route and a commuter line train heading to Cikarang at Bekasi Timur Station on Monday evening, 27 April 2026. According to Puan, security at railway crossings that remain below standard often causes accidents.

“We ask the government, KAI, and relevant stakeholders to prioritise railway safety issues. The systems and security on railway lines must be improved,” Puan said in a written statement on Tuesday, 28 April 2026.

In the mobility system in Jabodetabek, she said, the KRL has become part of the social infrastructure that supports the daily rhythm of work, education, and economic activities for the community. The major incident that killed 14 people and injured dozens of other passengers also has the potential to affect public trust in using trains.

Amid high public dependence on the KRL, the PDI Perjuangan politician emphasised that safety levels must be optimised. She believes that the public should not be left in a situation of doubt or reluctance to use trains.

“Safety is not enough to be seen as compliance with daily operational procedures, but must be present in the form of security standardisation that can assure the public that every potential risk has been anticipated,” said the former Minister of Coordinating Human Development and Culture.

In addition, she also encouraged the investigation that will later reveal the cause of the accident to produce clear structural lessons. Thus, in the end, the evaluation can provide assurance to the public that the KRL is a safe, rational transport choice supported by a strong safety system.

The accident incident began when the KRL train was stopped on track 1 at Bekasi Timur Station. The train stopped due to a disruption because ahead of them from the opposite direction there was a collision between a train and a taxi.

Then, shortly after, the Argo Bromo Anggrek train appeared speeding from behind and directly hit the body of that train. The collision caused the body of the Commuter Line train in the women-only carriage to crumple.

President Director of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or PT KAI, Bobby Rasyidin, said the number of fatalities from the accident increased to 14 people. “The deceased victims have been taken to the Kramat Jati Police Hospital for further identification,” Bobby said in his statement on Tuesday, 28 April 2026.

Meanwhile, the number of injured victims, both minor and severe, also increased to 84 people. All victims have been evacuated to nearby health facilities for further medical treatment.

All deceased and injured victims are known to be passengers from the KRL train. Meanwhile, the 240 passengers of the Argo Bromo Anggrek train were all successfully evacuated in safe condition.