Observer: Naming Argo Bromo Driver as Suspect Must Be Comprehensive
Purwokerto (ANTARA) - A transportation observer from Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) Purwokerto, Probo Hardini, stated that the designation of the Argo Bromo Anggrek train driver as a suspect must be accompanied by a comprehensive investigation into all factors that could potentially cause accidents.
“Accidents involve many factors. In railways, there are signalling systems, driver behaviour, infrastructure, and many other elements. Therefore, it must be viewed comprehensively,” he said in Purrolkerto, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, on Wednesday.
In this matter, the General Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimum) of the Jakarta Metropolitan Regional Police (Polda Metro Jaya) on Tuesday (29/9) named the driver of the Argo Bromo Anggrek train, identified by the initials AN (37), as a suspect regarding the collision with a KRL commuter train at Bekasi Timur Station on 27 April 2026, which resulted in 16 deaths.
“Errors can occur due to a single factor, or an error can occur due to a combination of several influencing factors. Because this is a system, when we talk about transportation, we cannot look narrowly at just one point,” he said.
He noted that the railway system involves various components, ranging from rolling stock and infrastructure, tracks, and signalling to train journey management and the behaviour of personnel operating the services.
Therefore, he stated, naming the driver as a suspect should be treated as part of the law enforcement process that must still examine the entire sequence of events.
He exemplified that train operations must consider signalling and speed regulations according to the characteristics of the train and track conditions.
“When we talk about trains, there are signals and regulations regarding how fast a train can travel. There is a system that regulates the entire operational process,” he said.
“A train cannot brake suddenly because it concerns passenger safety. The characteristics of the train must also be taken into consideration,” said the lecturer from the Unsoed Faculty of Engineering.
He added that the investigation also needs to consider the connection between railway tracks, transport networks, and other aspects that can affect train journeys.
Although he has not yet studied all the detailed evidence in the Argo Bromo Anggrek accident case, he believes that examining various components is necessary before determining the primary cause.
“It is necessary to be very meticulous in determining the primary cause. It could happen due to one thing, which then triggers a chain reaction across everything,” he said.
He expressed hope that the police investigation would consider all available data and evidence and coordinate with the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) to examine the safety aspects of the accident.
“It must be viewed holistically. All available data and evidence must be summarised to reach one main conclusion,” said Probo.