Not Everyone Can Become a Train Driver: Health Must Be "Grade A"

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Senior Train Driver at the Tanah Abang Train Crew Unit, Operational Area 1 Jakarta, Septian Widi Subekti, revealed that not everyone can become a train driver due to the extremely strict health standards that must be met.

Widi shared this in an exclusive interview on the “A Day With” programme on Kompas.com’s YouTube channel, quoted on Wednesday (29/4/2026).

“The recruitment in 2015 was like the general process. I went through selection with requirements for high school, diploma, or bachelor’s degree—all eligible. The selection started with health tests, psychological tests, interviews, and a final complex health check, because for train drivers, health must be Grade A,” said Widi.

The examination process is not only conducted during recruitment but also routinely before duty.

Every train driver is required to ensure their physical and mental condition is in top shape before starting their shift.

“Before driving the train, it’s complex, with many steps. It’s not immediate. First, physical health, mental health. Then report to the supervisor to confirm the duty schedule, then check health,” he said.

“So, a healthy train driver is definitely allowed to perform duty. If not healthy, it’s pending,” he added.

After those stages, the train driver still has to undergo pre-duty assessment, complete travel documents, and perform checks on the train facilities at the depot or station before departure.

“Only then the facility inspection, double-checking even though the facilities have already been checked, but we confirm again,” said Septian.

He emphasised that the entire series of procedures is carried out to ensure safe train journeys.

This interview is not related to the train accident incident in East Bekasi. This content is part of the “A Day With” programme produced by Kompas.com.