Police Reveal Irregularities Behind Bus Crash That Killed 16 in Krapyak
The Semarang Metropolitan Police Traffic Unit has released the findings of its investigation into the fatal Cahaya Trans bus crash at the Krapyak Toll Exit Interchange in Semarang City last December. Police discovered irregularities including discrepancies in the bus’s chassis number and a driver’s licence that turned out to be forged.
“There were discrepancies between the licence plate and the chassis and engine numbers of the bus involved in the accident, and the permits held by the bus company were not actually registered to that company,” said Semarang Metropolitan Police Chief Commissioner M Syahduddi at a press conference at his office on Wednesday (18/2/2026).
Syahduddi explained that the B1 public driving licence held by the bus driver also differed from the version issued by the Semarang Metropolitan Police Traffic Unit. The B1 public licence in the driver’s possession was found to be counterfeit.
“It is suspected that the B1 public licence used by the bus driver was a forged B1 public licence,” he said.
Syahduddi stated that the bus owner had failed to verify permits and safety standard operating procedures. The bus company was found not to hold a route permit.
“PT Cahaya Wisata Transportasi, the company involved in the accident, did not hold a passenger transport operating permit or a route permit,” he said.
Of the 12 buses owned by the company, only four held supervision cards from the Ministry of Transport. The bus involved in the Krapyak toll crash did not possess a supervision card.
“PT Cahaya Wisata Transportasi owns 12 buses. Of those 12, only four hold supervision cards for the Palembang–Blitar route. The remaining eight buses do not hold supervision card permits, including the one involved in the traffic accident in Semarang,” he added.
Syahduddi called on bus operators to ensure passenger safety. He urged bus companies to comply with regulations for the sake of public safety, particularly ahead of the Idul Fitri homecoming period.
“We urge transport owners, operators and route holders to provide safety guarantees to passengers who will be using their transport services, bearing in mind that in the coming weeks there is expected to be a surge in public transport users during the Idul Fitri homecoming period. We hope that traffic accidents resulting in mass fatalities among passengers will not recur,” he said.
“We remind all public transport owners and operators to fully comply with regulations, standard operating procedures, and prevailing laws. What we have presented today demonstrates our commitment to delivering justice to all parties in connection with the accident that occurred some time ago,” he added.
The Krapyak crash occurred in December 2025. The accident claimed 16 lives.