Transport Expert Calls Proposal to Move Women's Carriage "Absurd", Highlights Real Issues at KAI
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Transport expert Azas Tigor Nainggolan believes that PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) needs to focus its attention on passenger safety aspects, rather than debating the position of the special women’s carriage within the train formation.
According to him, the issue of placing the women’s carriage in the middle, front, or back does not directly relate to railway journey safety.
“It’s not a matter of the carriage’s position, but rather the service and management that need to be improved,” Azas said when contacted by Kompas.com via WhatsApp on Wednesday (29/4/2026).
“That’s absurd, in my opinion, and it doesn’t need to be addressed. It shouldn’t be a consideration for moving the women’s carriage to the middle,” he added.
He emphasised that the organisation of railway services should refer to Law Number 23 of 2007 on Railways.
Article 3 states that national railways must prioritise safety, security, and comfort.
Therefore, the placement of special women’s carriages, which has been implemented on KRL, is considered merely technical, to facilitate supervision and passenger access, not based on binding regulations.
“There is no provision in the Railway Law Number 23 of 2007. It’s more of a technical issue to make it easier and for female passengers to access the special women’s carriage,” he explained.
Furthermore, Azas assessed that the train accident that occurred on Monday (27/4/2026) actually shows problems in the management and railway safety system.
“The issue is that the current railway services do not comply with the law’s mandate. This is what needs to be fixed,” he stated.
“The government must take responsibility for this incident. What responsibility? Conduct an audit, yes, replace the management of PT Kereta Api Indonesia with professional and integrity-driven figures,” he said.
Previously, the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Arifah Fauzi, proposed moving the position of the special women’s carriage on the KRL Commuter Line to the middle of the formation.