KRL Daru-Parung Panjang Disrupted Due to Vandalism

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Commuter has reported that operations on the Commuter Line between Daru Station and Parung Panjang Station experienced a technical disruption due to vandalism in the form of the theft of a counting head cable early on Friday (8/5). “For the Rangkasbitung Commuter Line journeys on that line, they are currently being served using a manual system,” said VP Corporate Secretary of KAI Commuter, Karina Amanda, in her statement confirmed in Tangerang on Friday. She explained that due to this theft, the automatic railway signalling system on that line was disrupted, as the cable or device is one of the vital infrastructure facilities for train operations. “At present, our relevant personnel are already at the location to carry out repairs and replacement of the stolen cable,” she said. She added that until 09:00 WIB, six Rangkasbitung Commuter Line journeys experienced delays of between 14 and 24 minutes due to the manual journey regulation. Vandalism against railway equipment not only harms the company but also poses a potential danger to the safety of train journeys and the public. In this regard, the company reminded that perpetrators of theft of railway infrastructure can be prosecuted under applicable laws. “Perpetrators can be sentenced to a maximum imprisonment of 3 (three) years in accordance with Article 197 of Law No. 23 of 2007. That article states that any person who removes, damages, and/or commits acts that result in the non-functioning of railway infrastructure shall be punished with imprisonment for a maximum of 3 years,” she revealed. For the sake of collective safety and security, KAI Commuter urged all parties to safeguard railway public facilities. “KAI Commuter apologises for the delays in the Rangkasbitung Commuter Line journeys this morning due to vandalism by irresponsible parties,” she said.