KAI Daop Jember builds 96 level crossings to strengthen railway safety
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) Operational Area (Daop) 9 Jember, East Java, is building 96 level crossings that have undergone a verification process to strengthen safety at railway crossings.
Of that number, 10 locations have been designated as priorities and are currently under construction, with KAI targeting the 10 priority crossings to begin operating in early October 2026, said KAI Daop 9 Jember Legal and Public Relations Manager Cahyo Widiantoro in Jember on Saturday.
According to him, safety at railway crossings is a serious concern to reduce the risk of accidents and incidents between trains and vehicles or road users, making the measure part of KAI Daop 9 Jember’s commitment to improving railway travel safety.
“At the same time, it provides better protection for the public who work and cross around railway lines. Improving safety at crossings is a need that cannot be postponed, considering that level crossings are one of the points with potential risk if not used with discipline and in accordance with regulations,” he said.
He said safety is a priority in railway travel, so the construction of level crossings is one of KAI’s concrete steps to anticipate and minimise the risk of accidents at crossings because the company does not want to wait until there are casualties, so preventive measures must continue to be taken.
Cahyo explained that the 10 priority construction locations are spread across the Pasuruan area with one location, then in Probolinggo Regency/City with three locations, in Lumajang Regency with one location, and five locations in Jember Regency.
“The five other locations are in Jember Regency, namely JPL 85 KM 161+544 between Jatiroto–Tanggul, JPL 170 KM 207+129 between Arjasa–Kotok, JPL 114 KM 179+933 between Bangsalsari–Rambipuji, JPL 9 KM 05+440 between Kalisat–Ledokombo, and JPL 23 KM 11+504 between Ledokombo–Sempolan,” he said.
After the 10 priority locations, construction will continue in stages at the other 86 locations until all 96 verified locations receive treatment according to priority and the readiness of each site.
“Not only building level crossings, KAI has also prepared human resources, namely 400 people have been recruited to support the management needs of the 96 level crossings,” he said.
Based on KAI Daop 9 Jember data, 19 accidents were recorded at unguarded crossings in 2025 and four accidents in 2026, so it is hoped that the number of accidents at crossings can be reduced.
Through the construction of 96 level crossings, the preparation of 400 personnel, facility improvements, supervision, education, and collaboration with various parties, KAI Daop 9 Jember is committed to continuing to deliver safe, secure, comfortable and sustainable railway travel.
“Safety at crossings is not only about crossing gates and officers, but also about the discipline of every person to stop and give priority to railway travel,” he said.