Transcripts of Conversations Between Three Train Drivers and Controllers Before Argo Bromo Anggrek Collision

An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) has uncovered chaotic communication between train drivers and the Centralised Train Running Control (PPKP) on the night the Argo Bromo Anggrek train collided with a Commuter Line (KRL) train. The KNKT has released the transcripts of conversations between three drivers and the control officers from that night.

According to reports from Tuesday (29/09/202/6), two separate incidents occurred on the night of 27 April 2026. First, a collision occurred between a KRL train from Tambun Station towards Bekasi Timur Station and an electric taxi at a level crossing on Jalan Ampera, involving train KA 5181B.

Second, a collision occurred between the Argo Bromo Anggrek train and a KRL train heading towards Tambun, which was stationary at Bekasi Timur Station. This second accident resulted in 16 deaths and 107 injuries, involving the Argo Bromo Anggrek (KA 4B) and KRL KA 5568A.

The KNKT revealed that there were initial communication issues between the KRL driver involved in the taxi collision and the controllers. Based on the investigation, the driver contacted the Southern PPKP via an individual call to report the accident at JPL 86 Jalan Ampera. Notably, the KNKT noted that the driver did not press the emergency call button.

The KNKT stated that the driver’s voice was not clearly audible to the Southern PPKP. Furthermore, noise pollution caused by the use of speakers in the Southern PPKP control room was identified as a factor that prolonged the communication process.

Transcript of KRL Driver (Taxi Collision) and Southern PPKP

The KNKT noted that the recording between the driver of KA 518/B and the Southern PPKP was reverberating and had a relatively low volume compared to audio from other trains. The KNKT investigation team transcribed the recording by listening repeatedly using over-ear headsets to maximise detail.

Partial transcript of the conversation:

20:48:44 Driver: PK, monitor, please.

20:48:51 Driver: 5181, please.

20:48:58 Southern PPKP: Which train, please? May I know which train?

20:49:06 Southern PPKP: Please repeat, the modulation is imperfect.

20:49:10 Driver: 81, please, hit a car.

20:49:18 Southern PPKP: What happened, please?

20:49:21 Driver: Hit a car, the car is stuck, please.

20:49:27 Southern PPKP: Please repeat, what is stuck? Which train?

20:49:39 Driver: KA 5181, please. The car is stuck in front.

20:49:46 Southern PPKP: 5181, what is the situation?

20:49:55 Driver: The car is stuck, at KM 29, between Tambun and Bekasi.

20:50:06 Southern PPKP: Tambun to Bekasi, what is the situation? The modulation is imperfect.

20:50:12 Driver: Hit a car, KA 5181.

20:50:19 Driver: The car is stuck, please.

20:50:23 Southern PPKP: 075 Tambun, hold position first.

20:50:27 Driver: Requesting BLB (Green Wave), the car is stuck.

20:51:14 Driver: PK, 5181, please.

20:51:19 Southern PPKP: What is the condition?

20:51:47 Driver: PPKP, 5818, the car is stuck.

The conversation continued until 21:09:54, consisting of repeated queries regarding the taxi collision and track conditions.

Transcript of KRL Driver (KA 5568A) and PPKP

This transcript contains conversations before and after the collision. The accident between the Argo Bromo Anggrek and the KRL occurred at 20:52 WIB at Bekasi Timur Station.

20:41:57 Driver: PPKP, 5568, track 6 Bekasi, waiting for what, please?

20:49:57 Driver: Hello PPKP, 5568, requesting info for Bekasi Timur?

20:50:23 Southern PPKP: 075 Tambun, hold position first.

20:50:28 Driver: 5568 still holding at Bekasi Timur.

20:55:45 Southern PPKP: PK, calling 5568.

21:05:52 Southern PPKP: Inform the ASP colleagues, especially the East Line. We are rearranging the PERKA (Train Schedule). Please assist, colleagues.

Transcript of Argo Bromo Anggrek Assistant Driver and Eastern PPKP

This transcript contains the conversation between the crew of the Argo Bromo Anggrek locomotive and the Eastern PPKP before and after the collision.

20:18:44 Assistant Driver: PK, monitor Bravo. Requesting modulation re-establishment for KA 4B Argo Bromo Anggrek. Carrying 11 carriages with a tonnage of 481.25 tons. Waiting to depart from Gambir at 20:30. What is the latest speed information for Argo Bromo Anggrek?

20:19:04 Eastern PPKP: Copy. Speed at 3 points: DDT km 20+8 at 90 kpj, Karawang-Clari at 67+5 at 40, Kosambi-Dawuan at 77+2 at 60. Bravo, 3 points.

20:50:59 Eastern PPKP: Anggrek, PK calling Anggrek.

20:51:02 Assistant Driver: Entering Bravo, this is KA Anggrek.

20:51:06 Eastern PPKP: Be careful at JPL Bekasi Timur, JPL 88. Increase vigilance, there seems to be a collision downstream, be careful.

20:51:18 Assistant Driver: Copy JPL 88. Increasing vigilance, downstream collision suspected. Thank you, Bravo.

20:51:25 Eastern PPKP: Try to brake, brake a little, be careful. Hopefully, there is no report of a derailment yet.

20:51:33 Assistant Driver: Bravo, the signal is Red. Signal B104 is Red.

20:51:40 Eastern PPKP: Copy, hold position. There is a CL (Clearance) ahead. It might not be a derailment, please wait.

20:53:06 Assistant Driver: This is Anggrek, Bravo, collided with KRL, Bravo.

20:53:10 Eastern PPKP: Oh no, copy. Was the block visible?

20:53:14 Assistant Driver: The block was Red, Bravo.

20:53:16 Eastern PPKP: Copy, hold position. Did it just graze?

20:53:19 Assistant Driver: Signal 5, Bravo.

20:53:20 Eastern PPKP: Copy, hold position, please.

20:53:23 Assistant Driver: Bravo.