'KAI needs more paying passengers'

State railway operator PT KAI has concluded the recent train crash in Rawa Bambu, South Jakarta was caused by human error. The accident claimed four lives and injured around 600 other passengers, including the train driver. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their ideas on how PT KAI should improve its service.

Ahmad Syafrudin, 37, is an environmentalist living in Pondok Terong subdistrict, Depok. He travels to his office in Central Jakarta by train:

PT KAI often says it has not enough money to upgrade its railway system and trains, particularly the commuter ones, because the ticket sales are just enough to cover its operational costs.

I, however, believe that the company has not worked optimally to raise its own income since only 40 percent of passengers buy tickets.

As a train user, I am all too aware that so few passengers buy tickets as the company's employers turn a blind eye to freeloaders. Later, the officials collect the fines and keep the money for themselves.

Rahmi Hidayati, 38, is a public relations officer, who works on Jl. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta. She lives on Jl. Ciputat Raya, Pondok Pinang also in South Jakarta:

PT KAI should not merely blame the train driver for the recent incident. It must improve its safety system.

For example, a train should automatically stop if another train comes within a certain distance. We have many engineers who are no doubt capable of coming up with a good system. If they can't, we can import the technology.

As a commuter, I really care about the safety system. I don't want to be the next victim of a train crash.

-- The Jakarta Post