Residents Agree to Level Crossing Gate Near Train Accident Site Being Blocked, But...
Residents around Jalan Ampera in Bekasi City agree with the installation of iron gates at the unauthorised level crossing near the train accident site. However, they want the crossing not to be permanently closed.
“Yes, it will be safer. As long as it’s not completely closed, that would be a pity. If it’s fixed, there won’t be any more accidents. That’s it, we just want it to be safe. Yes, for safety,” said Yati (63), met by detikcom at the location on Wednesday (29/4/2026).
Yati explained that this level crossing on Jalan Ampera has existed since her childhood. She said many residents earn a living by managing the crossing there.
“Yes, it has been there. Before the new road. Wow, many (here). It’s every two hours, two hours. They take turns managing it, until 5 o’clock. At 5, they switch again until 7. At 7, switch again, they keep rotating,” she clarified.
On the other hand, Yati did not deny that collision incidents often occur at this unauthorised level crossing. She also explained that when the green taxi was hit, the guards tried to help, but it was unsuccessful.
“Several times here. So actually, it’s not the first incident. Not the first, since long ago, since I was little,” she revealed.
“So the kids who guard it, they try. They help. So that it can still pass. This time, it was completely not. The train was getting closer and closer. Well, it was slowing down too. But as it’s a train, it can’t brake suddenly,” she concluded.
Previously, Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi ordered PT KAI to immediately install automatic gates at existing level crossings. Dudy stated that installing the gates is a short-term step to prevent repeated accidents.
“The most important thing we see is the short-term, which crossings need to have gates installed immediately,” said Dudy during the trial run of the KRL on the Bekasi-Cikarang route, Wednesday (29/4).
Dudy mentioned that the gate repairs align with instructions from President Prabowo Subianto. He said they would provide warnings up to enforcement in the form of closing unauthorised level crossings.
“So we will regulate all unlicensed crossings or those that endanger train travel. We will repair them and also request that no new crossings be added, which would ultimately cause difficulties. Because if there are more crossings, it will add to the train travel time,” Dudy stated.