Testimonies of Regular Commuters at the Ampera Railway Crossing and Support for Prabowo's Policy

Nanang Kurniawan (43), a resident of Babelan, Bekasi, crosses the level railway crossing on Ampera Street almost every day. This crossing serves as an important route for residents to traverse the railway tracks from Ir H Juanda Street, Bekasi, to the Durenjaya area and vice versa. “I pass through here every morning because I drop off my wife at work,” he said. Nanang did not expect a major accident to occur on Monday night (27/4/2026) not far from that intersection. A Commuterline electric train (KRL) stopped at Bekasi Timur Station was hit by the Surabaya-bound Argo Bromo Anggrek train. As of this report, the death toll from the incident has reached 14 people. The Ampera railway crossing is suspected to be linked to the accident. Before the KRL collided with the Argo Bromo Anggrek train, a Green SM taxi got stuck on the KRL heading towards Jakarta. Witnesses stated that the electric taxi broke down in the middle of the railway crossing. Nanang said accidents at the crossing are relatively rare. Before Monday night’s incident, he recalls the last accident happened about two years ago, when a truck got caught on the train after stopping in the middle of the crossing. Nanang, who waits for his wife to work near the crossing daily, said the Ampera level crossing post is an initiative by local residents. Its purpose is to regulate vehicle traffic and inform when a train is approaching. Based on Republika’s observations, the crossing gate used by residents consists of a long bamboo pole. If a train is about to pass, the gatekeeper will place the bamboo to block vehicles from crossing. The day after the train accident at Bekasi Timur Station, the level crossing was already busy again. When asked if he was worried about the crossing’s condition, Nanang admitted that locals are accustomed to it. The most important thing, he said, is that if the gatekeeper issues a prohibition to cross, drivers must comply. “There are always some stubborn ones who cross even when the crossing is closed,” Nanang said. Regarding the government’s plan to accelerate the construction of a flyover at the level crossing, Nanang welcomed it positively. According to him, it could make residents safer when crossing the railway tracks. “It would be better if a flyover could be built. It might be safer too,” Nanang said. In agreement with Nanang, Nurjanah (40), a resident of Ampera Street, also supports the flyover construction at the crossing. “Yes, if the government plans that, we as residents support it,” she said. Nurjanah stated that the level crossing has existed since her childhood. She hopes such accidents will not recur in the area. “Including hoping there will be no more train accidents,” Nurjanah revealed.