Proposal to Move Women's KRL Carriages to the Middle: KAI Boss's Clarification

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero)’s President Director Bobby Rasyidin has responded to a proposal to move women’s carriages to the middle rather than the first and last carriages. Bobby emphasised that several aspects led to the decision to designate the first and last carriages for women. “Regarding women’s carriages, we do not differentiate in terms of safety levels between women and men. We have implemented this separation due to several aspects,” Bobby stated at Bekasi Timur Station, Jakarta, on Wednesday (29/4/2026). The first aspect is harassment or sexual violence. The second is to provide ease for women. “(And) to provide greater security because it is closer to the guards. These are the aspects we use,” he said. Bobby stated that the placement of men and women in the carriages is only for comfort or convenience. “So far, we have prioritised women for comfort levels, ease of access, and of course security inside the train as well,” he added. Previously, the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) requested an evaluation of the placement of special women’s carriages on KRL trains, following the collision incident between the Argo Bromo train and the Commuter Line (KRL) at Bekasi Timur Station. “But with this incident, we propose that if possible, the women’s carriages be placed in the middle,” she said. Arifatul admitted to having coordinated with PT Kereta Api Indonesia regarding the reasons for placing women’s carriages at the front or rear of the train set. According to KAI’s explanation, this position has been chosen to avoid passenger build-up or scrambling. Nevertheless, she encouraged a change by placing male or mixed carriages at the ends of the train set, while women’s carriages are in the middle. “So men at the ends, front and back for men, so women in the middle,” she said.