Headline:
Deadly Bus Crash in Batu, East Java: Unroadworthy Bus Claims Four Lives, Authorities Investigate
Article:
In a grim reminder of the persistent road safety issues in Indonesia, another fatal bus crash has occurred, this time in Batu, East Java. The incident involved a tourist bus, Sakhindra Trans, with the license plate DK 7942 GB, which is suspected to have experienced brake failure, resulting in a collision with 10 motorcycles and 6 cars. Sadly, this crash claimed the lives of four individuals.
Investigations by the police have revealed that the bus was not Fit for Service. According to Director of Traffic Police (Dirlantas) of East Java Provincial Police, Kombes Pol Komarudin, the bus’s Certificate of Roadworthiness (KIR) had expired since December 2023, and its operating permit had not been renewed since 2020.
Komarudin also disclosed that the bus driver had reportedly informed the bus owner or the operating company about the unroadworthy condition of the bus. Furthermore, inspections found that three other buses from the same fleet were also not fit for service.
Transportation expert Djoko Setijowarno discovered that the operating permit for the bus with license plate DK 7942 GB had expired, as shown in the Mitra Darat application from the Ministry of Transportation. The permit expired on April 26, 2020, and the last recorded periodic inspection was at Pulogadung, Jakarta, with its status expired on December 15, 2023.
This incident is not the first fatal crash involving large vehicles such as buses and trucks in Indonesia. Lessons must be learned to prevent such tragedies from recurring. Djoko emphasized that the government has not been serious enough in addressing transportation safety issues, stating, "Safety is not a priority for the state."
Djoko advised passengers to not solely consider the fare when choosing a bus service. They should also investigate the safety and maintenance aspects of the vehicles they use. Passenger vehicles should also be cautious around buses, especially given that the victims in this particular crash were not passengers but other road users.
ImageCaption:
[Image of the expired operating permit for the bus involved in the crash, obtained from the Mitra Darat application. Source: detikOto]
