PT KAI Daop 8 Surabaya Tightens Monitoring of Railway Tracks, Bans Residents from Loitering Near Tracks
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) Daop 8 Surabaya is conducting strict monitoring of railway tracks near residential areas to prevent residents from using them for leisure activities after the pre-dawn meal (sahur) or before breaking the fast.
“During this Ramadan, we have observed many residents using railway tracks for leisure activities, both during sahur and before breaking the fast. This is prohibited as it poses a potential safety hazard,” said the Public Relations Manager of KAI Daop 8 Surabaya, Mahendro Trang Bawono, in Surabaya, Thursday (February 26).
According to him, throughout 2025, there were 23 incidents of trespassing on railway tracks in the Daop 8 Surabaya area. In the period from January to February 2026, there have already been 7 similar incidents.
“This data indicates that the risk of accidents on railway tracks remains a serious concern and requires vigilance and shared responsibility,” he said.
Regulations prohibiting activities on railway tracks are stipulated in Law Number 23 of 2007 concerning Railways. Article 181, paragraph (1), states that everyone is prohibited from being in the railway right-of-way, including dragging, moving, placing, or removing goods on the tracks, or using the railway for purposes other than railway transportation. Violations of these provisions may result in criminal penalties of up to three months in prison or a maximum fine of IDR 15,000,000, as stipulated in Article 199.
He emphasized that the safety of train journeys cannot be compromised. “We understand that Ramadan is a time for togetherness, including leisure activities. However, we reiterate that railway tracks are not a place for such activities. The risk of accidents is very high and can have fatal consequences, both for the community and for train operations,” he said.
As a commitment to safety, KAI Daop 8 Surabaya consistently conducts socialization programs for the community through visits to schools, communities, and various public education forums. Security patrols along the railway tracks are also being intensified with intensive monitoring at vulnerable points, especially during Ramadan and the 2026 Eid al-Fitr transportation period.
KAI Daop 8 Surabaya also invites the community to actively participate in maintaining safety. If they find any dangerous or suspicious activities around the railway tracks, the public is urged to immediately report them to KAI officers or authorities to prevent potential accidents.
“Through these various efforts, we are committed to providing a safe, orderly, and comfortable railway environment for all people, especially during Ramadan and before Eid. The safety of train journeys is a shared responsibility,” he said. (H-2)