KRL Passengers Unlikely to Switch to Private Transport Following Bekasi Train Accident

JAKARTA - The Head of Public Communications for KRL Mania, Gusti, stated that some KRL passengers were gripped by anxiety following the train accident in East Bekasi, but this did not lead them to switch to private vehicles. “I think there are some female passengers who might feel a bit worried when entering the women’s carriage at the very back,” said Gusti when contacted by Kompas.com on Wednesday (29/4/2026). Nevertheless, he assessed that this anxiety remained within reasonable bounds and did not alter the habits of the majority of KRL users, especially those who have long depended on this public transport. Gusti acknowledged that anxiety regarding carriage positions, whether at the front or back, did emerge among passengers after the incident. “There is a fear of sitting in the rearmost or frontmost carriage, which might always be there. But it doesn’t go so far as to make people switch from public transport to private vehicles,” he said. He stressed that the most important thing now is to ensure that the safety system is properly improved to maintain public trust in public transport. “Certainly, we request that the government fulfils the security and comfort of the infrastructure. Don’t let safety factors cause people to move from public transport to private transport,” he stated. In the incident, 15 KRL passengers were reported dead by Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, several other victims sustained injuries and are being treated at various hospitals in the Bekasi area. All passengers on the KA Argo Bromo Anggrek train were reported safe.