KAI North Sumatra Normalises 17 Level Crossings
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or KAI Regional Division 1 North Sumatra guarantees railway journey safety by organising level crossings. By 2026, KAI North Sumatra has regulated and normalised the track widths at 17 crossing points that technically do not yet meet official crossing safety standards. The criteria include community-initiated paths not designated as public roads by the government, extremely limited track widths, and accesses that emerge independently without official permission.
“These points are categorised as high-risk areas because they are not recorded in the operational safety system, thus potentially endangering both railway journeys and road users,” said Acting Manager of Public Relations for KAI Division 1 North Sumatra, Anwar Yuli Prastyo.
This step is part of accelerating the improvement of transportation safety standards in the North Sumatra region. Normalisation and organisation of crossings, Anwar said, have been coordinated with local governments and relevant stakeholders. This aligns with Ministry of Transportation Regulation Number 94 of 2018, which regulates synergy between central government, local government, and operators in managing safety at level crossings.
According to him, in line with Law Number 23 of 2007 on Railways, ideally the intersection of railway tracks and roads should be non-level, such as building flyovers or underpasses. The aim is to minimise direct interaction and ensure smooth traffic flow for both parties.
“KAI strongly supports the development of non-level crossing infrastructure as a permanent solution that provides optimal safety guarantees for all parties,” Anwar stated.
In addition to infrastructure organisation, KAI is also actively educating the public through 46 safety socialisation activities involving communities along the rail lines.
“We urge the public to always prioritise official crossing paths and discipline in obeying available traffic signs. Safety at level crossings is a shared responsibility. Awareness to mutually protect and comply with rules is the main key so that every journey, whether on rails or roads, proceeds safely,” Anwar said.
To date, eight railway accidents have occurred at level crossings in North Sumatra. The latest incident was a collision between KAI Bandara and an online motorcycle taxi driver at a crossing without barriers on Rajawali Street, Padang Alley, Medandenai Subdistrict, Medan City. The driver died, while the passenger survived.
PT Railink, as the operator of KAI Bandara in Medan City, confirmed the incident. They urged the public to obey and be disciplined when crossing railway crossings. Especially since level crossings are one of the high-risk points for traffic accidents.
KAI Bandara Company Communication Manager Ayep Hanapi said that the safety of railway journeys and road users is a shared responsibility. The public is expected to always obey the existing signs, stop when warning signals sound or barriers begin to close, and ensure safe conditions before crossing the rails.
“Safety at crossings is the top priority. But the most important thing is collective awareness and compliance when crossing. Obey the signs, do not force through barriers or those without barriers. Ensure the condition is truly safe before crossing,” Ayep said on Friday, 24 April 2026.
He emphasised that accidents at crossings often occur due to negligence by road users who ignore the rules. KAI Bandara invites all communities to make safety a need, not just an obligation. When crossing level crossings, the public is asked to stop briefly, look left and right, listen for signs of trains, and not force crossing if conditions are not safe.
“We continue to educate and socialise transportation safety to the public. Hopefully, the number of accidents at railway crossings can be reduced,” Ayep said.