Kite Stuck on High-Speed Train Tracks, Whoosh's Journey Temporarily Halted
JAKARTA - The Whoosh G1060 high-speed train from Tegalluar Summarecon to Halim was temporarily halted due to a kite string caught in the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) on Sunday evening, August 24.
The disruption occurred on the KM 111+200 route, right in front of one of the tunnels between Tegalluar Summarecon and Padalarang Stations.
"We apologize to passengers for this inconvenience. However, the temporary stoppage must be carried out in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Safety to ensure safe travel," said Eva Chairunisa, General Manager, Corporate Secretary of KCIC, in an official statement on Monday, August 25.
Eva said the incident began at around 7:34 PM WIB when the driver of train G1053 reported a kite string caught in the OCS. Train Control (TC) immediately followed up on the report by issuing instructions to limit speed and lower the pantograph.
"And increased supervision of trains passing through the area," she said.
At around 8:21 PM WIB, train G1060 was stopped at KM 111+330 to allow Power Supply personnel to dispatch the kite string, who immediately manually removed it. Within just five minutes of the power outage, at 8:26 PM WIB, power was restored, and the train was able to operate again at 8:29 PM WIB.
"This swift response demonstrates KCIC's readiness to maintain safety and ensure that travel can quickly return to normal," said Eva.
In response to this incident, KCIC reiterates its appeal to the public not to fly or fly kites near high-speed train tracks.
"This activity is highly risky because it can cause technical disruptions, stoppages, and potentially unwanted accidents," she said.
Currently, Eva continued, special regulations or Government Regulations prohibiting kite flying near high-speed train tracks are still being discussed by all stakeholders. However, KCIC continues to strengthen its synergy with Babinkamtibmas (Community Police Officers) and Babinsa (Village Police Officers) in locations prone to kite flying.
"Joint patrols were conducted in the districts of Padalarang, Central Cimahi, West Bandung, Bojongloa Kidul, and South Bandung," she explained.
Through this activity, Eva continued, direct monitoring, education, warnings, and prohibitions were carried out against people caught flying kites to raise collective awareness of Whoosh travel safety.
"KCIC once again apologizes to passengers for the inconvenience caused by this incident. KCIC urges the public not to fly or fly kites near the high-speed train tracks, as such activities have the potential to disrupt operations and endanger the safety of Whoosh travel," Eva concluded.