KAI Chief Reports Acceleration of Level Crossing Safety Improvements to President Prabowo

A level crossing may be traversed in mere seconds, yet it is precisely at this point where railway safety and road user safety intersect. When traffic discipline weakens or safety facilities are inadequate, the risk of accident can materialise in a very short time. For this reason, addressing level crossings has become an accelerated priority in national transport development, aiming to reduce risk points that have caused accidents on rail lines and roads for years. PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) President Director Bobby Rasyidin reported the programme’s progress to President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace. As of 4 June 2026, KAI, together with various stakeholders, has closed 119 of the 172 priority level crossings targeted nationally this year. KAI is also accelerating the handling of 490 illegal crossings and commencing safety facility upgrades at 1,148 active locations across all operational areas. “Improving safety at level crossings is one of KAI’s main focuses. To date, 119 of 172 priority crossings have been successfully closed. We are continuing these efforts by addressing illegal crossings and strengthening safety facilities in various regions,” said Bobby Rasyidin. The measures stem from the need to reduce accident risks at level crossings. KAI data shows that from January to 4 June 2026, there were 119 accidents at level crossings resulting in 97 casualties, comprising 43 fatalities, 23 serious injuries, and 31 minor injuries. Fifty-two per cent of incidents occurred at crossings without barriers, while the act of trespassing as a train approached remained the dominant cause, accounting for 87 per cent of all recorded incidents. Vice President of Corporate Communication Anne Purba explained that the closure programme is based on comprehensive safety identification and assessment. Each location is evaluated according to risk level, train traffic volume, environmental conditions, and potential impact on public safety. “Every crossing that is closed has undergone an evaluation and safety review. Our main focus is reducing risk points that could cause accidents. The more vulnerable points we can address, the greater the opportunity to create safe journeys for the public and for railway operations,” Anne stated. The priority crossing closure programme is part of a broader effort to improve safety at 1,810 unguarded crossings across KAI’s operational areas. As of 4 June 2026, 119 of the 172 priority points have been closed, achieving approximately 69 per cent of this year’s target. Anne noted that this progress reflects stronger collaboration between KAI, central and regional governments, local authorities, and the community in supporting transport safety. Each crossing has different characteristics, requiring a tailored approach. Therefore, crossing safety demands infrastructure support, rule enforcement, and road user compliance to continuously reduce accident risks. KAI data shows that between 2022 and 2025, there were 1,244 accidents at level crossings. Of these, 913 incidents, or 73 per cent, occurred at unguarded crossings. The same period recorded 1,152 casualties, including 437 fatalities, 294 serious injuries, and 421 minor injuries. These figures underscore that reducing risk points remains a key strategy in improving national transport safety. Beyond crossing closures, KAI continues to strengthen education and prevention efforts. From 2022 to 2025, KAI conducted 6,259 safety awareness campaigns at level crossings, closed 1,024 illegal and high-risk crossings, installed 2,646 warning banners, and held 988 educational activities at schools and places of worship near railway lines. These efforts were carried out jointly with regional governments, transport agencies, local authorities, railway enthusiast communities, and residents. “Safety is a social investment whose benefits are felt by many. Every risk-prone crossing that is successfully addressed means a potential accident can be prevented. We therefore urge all members of the public to obey the rules when crossing level crossings and to maintain the safety facilities that have been built together,” Anne concluded. KAI will continue to accelerate the handling of the remaining 53 priority crossings so that the target of closing 172 points in 2026 can be met. In parallel, the strengthening of safety facilities at various active locations is being carried out to reduce accident risks and improve safety for both railway journeys and road users.