Palace Requests Evaluation of Level Crossings in Wake of Train Accident
Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman stated that a series of train accidents occurring in the past week serve as an alarm to improve public transportation. On Friday early morning, 1 May 2026, the Argo Bromo Anggrek train collided with a car at a level crossing in Tuko Village, Pulokulon Subdistrict, Grobogan, Central Java, killing at least four people.
Previously, a train accident also occurred on Monday, 27 April 2026, in East Bekasi. The collision between a Commuter Line train and a long-distance Diesel Train (KRD) at Bekasi Timur Station resulted in 16 deaths.
Dudung Abdurachman emphasised that the fleet, infrastructure, and public transportation services must be accompanied by supporting infrastructure such as safe level crossings for both passing trains and other road users.
“This is the right time to evaluate level crossings as requested by President Prabowo Subianto,” Dudung said, quoted from a written statement on Saturday, 2 May 2026.
According to his notes, there are currently around 1,800 level crossing points in Indonesia. He highlighted the high vulnerability of level crossings, especially in dense areas and busy traffic routes in Jakarta and other major cities. The former Army Chief of Staff said one solution that could be pursued is the construction of flyovers. “The budget for that has been prepared so that improvement steps can be accelerated,” he said.
Not only that, Dudung also reminded of Prabowo’s directives regarding the implementation of an early warning system and automatic mechanical responses by PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI). According to Dudung, standard operating procedures regarding level crossings also need attention. “Ensure the system is operational and there are guards at level crossings,” Dudung said.
In the past week, two train accident incidents have occurred. The latest was the collision between a train and a car at an unguarded level crossing in Tuko Village, Pulokulon Subdistrict, Grobogan Regency, Central Java, on Friday early morning. According to Antara, the incident resulted in four deaths.
“The incident occurred around 02:52 WIB on the Tuko–Sidorejo road, specifically in Sugihan Hamlet. A Toyota Avanza vehicle with licence plate H-1060-ZP carrying nine people was hit by the Argo Bromo Anggrek train travelling from west to east,” said the Traffic Unit’s Gakkum Sub-Unit of the Grobogan Police Resort, Iptu Arie Eko, in Grobogan, as reported by Antara on Friday, 1 May 2026.
Arie said the vehicle was travelling from south to north. While crossing, the car is suspected to have stopped on the tracks because the engine stalled.
At the same time, the train passing on the same track was already close, making the collision unavoidable. The impact hit the front left side of the vehicle.
The incident in Central Java occurred less than a week after the train collision at Bekasi Timur Station, Bekasi City. The accident on Monday, 27 April 2026, around 20:57 WIB involved the Argo Bromo Anggrek train and the Commuter Line or Electric Rail Train (KRL) at Bekasi Timur Station.
The incident began when an online taxi Green SM experienced an electrical short circuit in the middle of a railway crossing, not far from Bekasi Timur Station. The vehicle failed to be evacuated, and a KRL from Cikarang to Jakarta hit it.
As a result of the incident, KRL services on the Kampung Bandan–Cikarang route were held at Bekasi Timur Station. Unfortunately, at the same time, the KA Argo Bromo Anggrek was approaching from behind on the same track at a speed of 110 kilometres per hour.
The body of the Argo Bromo Anggrek train penetrated the body of the KRL, splitting the women’s carriage. Dozens of passengers in that carriage became victims after being crushed by the train body.