Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation has launched a significant initiative to improve rail safety by closing 172 unauthorized level crossings. Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi confirmed the move on Friday following a parliamentary hearing in Jakarta, noting that the project is being conducted in coordination with the state-owned railway operator, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI).
Addressing a Persistent Safety Risk
The closures target locations identified as hazardous to both road traffic and railway operations. This initiative follows a review of safety data, which indicates that more than 1,000 accidents have occurred at railway crossings throughout the country over the past three years.
To bolster safety nationwide, the government has allocated 800 billion rupiah—equivalent to approximately 44 million U.S. Dollars—to accelerate the installation of critical infrastructure. These planned improvements are expected to include the deployment of crossing guards, the construction of formal guard posts, and the integration of new communication systems.
Future Outlook
While the initial closure of 172 crossings marks a clear step toward reducing incident rates, the broader scope of railway safety remains a focus for the government. This proves likely that authorities will continue to evaluate the remaining network to identify further sites requiring either closure or the implementation of safety measures such as signal upgrades and personnel deployment. The success of this current phase could determine the pace at which the remaining 800 billion rupiah budget is utilized to reach other high-risk areas across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are these specific crossings being closed?
The Ministry of Transportation has identified these 172 locations as unauthorized and hazardous to both road users and railway operations.
What is the government doing to improve safety at remaining crossings?
The government plans to deploy crossing guards, construct guard posts, and install communication systems and other safety facilities as part of a nationwide infrastructure project.
What does the data show regarding the types of vehicles involved in accidents?
Data from the ministry indicates that motorcycles account for approximately 55 percent of all accidents occurring at railway crossings.
Do you believe that infrastructure upgrades or stricter traffic enforcement will be more effective in reducing the number of railway accidents?
