PT KAI West Sumatra Regional Division II closes 14 illegal level crossings from January to May 2026
Padang, West Sumatra — PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Divisional Regional II Sumatra West closed 14 illegal level crossings from January to May 2026 as part of the company’s long-term risk mitigation programme to reduce rail-line accidents in the province.
KAI Divre II Sumbar Public Relations Head Reza Shahab in Padang said the closures up to mid-2026 form part of the long-term risk mitigation programme. ‘This enforcement step targets accident-prone points across the Divre II Sumbar operational area,’ he said.
The latest action in the 2026 enforcement series was the simultaneous closure of three illegal level crossings in Padang Pariaman on Tuesday (19 May). The closures were led by KAI Divre II Sumbar head Muh. Tri Setyawan. The operation involved all levels of management as well as the internal security team to ensure the sterilisation process is conducted safely.
Reza said the step of closing illegal level crossings is based on Minister of Transportation Regulation No. 94 of 2018. The regulation requires evaluation and arrangement of level crossings between rail tracks and roads to minimise the potential for fatal accidents. He explained that the three newly closed points in Padang Pariaman have a width of about 2 metres and lack standard safety facilities. That characteristic is similar to a number of other illegal level crossings that have been closed by KAI since January 2026.
The 14 closures by May 2026 continue a trend of gradually closing illegal crossings in recent years. It is recorded that KAI Divre II Sumbar closed eight level crossings in 2023 in several areas under its jurisdiction. The number of closures then rose significantly in 2024 with a total of 20 illicit level crossings sterilised. In 2025, the commitment continued with 18 closures of dangerous illegal level crossings.
In addition to the physical action of closing illegal routes, KAI Divre II Sumbar has balanced the effort with a mass safety education programme across 2026. Road safety awareness campaigns have been conducted directly at 21 active level crossings in West Sumatra. Not only targeting road users at level crossings, KAI has also conducted safety education for students in three primary and secondary schools. The company has also installed visual warning materials at strategic locations to heighten public awareness of the dangers of rail.
The management of KAI reminded that a train carrying hundreds of passengers requires a long braking distance and cannot stop quickly. Therefore, the closures of a dozen or so illegal level crossings in 2026 compel the public to use official crossings.
To maintain the effectiveness of the closures across 2026, KAI is coordinating with the Padang Pariaman Transport Department, Indonesian National Police and Army (TNI/Polri), village chiefs, and railfan communities. ‘This synergy is expected to prevent the public from reopening the illegal crossings closed for safety,’ he said.