Said Aqil: Building Railway Crossing Gates Is Not KAI's Obligation

Bekasi, VIVA – Chairman of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Said Aqil Siradj stated that the construction of level crossing gates is not the responsibility of KAI.

This was in response to the accident involving the KA Argo Bromo Anggrek train and a KRL at Bekasi Timur Station on Monday night, 27 April 2026.

Nevertheless, the company will still conduct an evaluation to ensure that train accidents do not occur in the future.

“We will evaluate it later. But clearly, level crossing gates are not KAI’s obligation. Many people don’t know this; building level crossing gates is not KAI’s obligation,” said Said after visiting the victims at Bekasi City Hospital on Tuesday, 28 April 2026.

Said explained that the construction of level crossing gates is the responsibility of the local government.

“(The obligation is on) the local government, the local authority,” he stated.

In constructing level crossing gates, the Ministry of Transportation coordinates with the local head and the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri).

“It’s not KAI’s obligation. KAI’s obligation is only to operate the trains and collect tickets,” said Said.

Said explained that KAI has repeatedly reminded local governments about the construction of level crossing gates.

He mentioned that KAI is also ready to collaborate on the construction. However, to date, some crossings still do not have level crossing gates.

“Yes, we have often urged them; even in East Java, we gathered all the regents regarding level crossings. At that time, it was okay, collaboration yes, but it hasn’t been implemented yet,” he revealed.

Said added that building level crossing gates also requires significant costs, around Rp3 billion.

“Building a good gate costs Rp3 billion each; it’s not cheap,” Said concluded.