Djoko Setijowarno: Commuter and Long-Distance Trains Should Be Separated

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Transportation Community Advisory Board, Djoko Setijowarno, said that the line for urban modes such as electric train (KRL) with long-distance trains (KAJJ) must be separated to minimize the risk of traffic accidents.

"This is actually a thought from 20 years ago, but the realization is a bit slow. This double-double track should be quickly resolved so that it is much safer," he said when talking to Eddy Wijaya in the EdShareOn podcast which aired on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

He explained that the double-double track or four-track rail on the Manggarai-Cikarang track was important to be redesigned because it was a vital route to and from Jakarta. However, until now, only four-track rail is available for the Manggarai Station to Bekasi route. Meanwhile, from Bekasi Station to Cikarang, it still relies on two tracks. "There are still 16 kilometers left between Bekasi to Cikarang, even if it needs to go to Cikampek," he said.

The urgency of accelerating this development resurfaced after the accident between the Argo Bromo Anggrek train and the KRL at Bekasi Timur Station on April 27, 2026. The incident caused 91 people to be injured and 16 people to die. In that incident, the Argo Bromo Anggrek train, which had reduced its speed, continued to run and hit the women's car of the KRL, which was stopping, after a previous accident between the Cikarang-Bekasi commuter line and the Green SM electric taxi.

Responding to the incident, Djoko assessed that the root of the problem was not a mere train accident, but it started from a traffic accident at a piece of track. He revealed that throughout this year there have been about 20 similar incidents.

However, the tragedy on April 27 developed into a large-scale train accident. However, the MTI has not drawn any final conclusions and is still waiting for the results of the investigation from the National Transportation Safety Committee.

"With high speed, the train needs a long enough braking distance, about 1 kilometer. I believe the Argo Bromo Anggrek train driver has braked but the distance is not enough. So it is very necessary to have a four-track rail so that this kind of thing does not happen again. But more details later KNKT will conclude where the mistake is. If there is an investigation, usually KAI will follow up on the repair," said Djoko.

Djoko added that the most crucial aspect of the incident was still a traffic accident at the crossing. The reason is, if you look at the trend of train accidents, the number has actually decreased significantly since the transformation in the PT KAI body during the leadership of Ignasius Jonan in 2009-2013.

Infrastructure improvements, including the switch from single to double track, have improved overall safety. In fact, the last major accident that claimed many lives occurred in 2010 in Petarukan, with a total of 34 fatalities - showing that system improvements have had a positive impact, although there is still work to be done at a number of crucial points.

However, the realization of the four lines has not been completed because it is still constrained by the budget. Likewise, the arrangement of the train crossing.

"Last year we warned. The government can make cuts and savings, but don't reduce the budget that concerns the safety of citizens. It seems that this nation is less concerned so that friends from the Directorate General of Railways no longer have a budget. The crossing must also have signs, and the money for its maintenance is now gone," said Djoko.

For future improvements, MTI recommends the importance of educating the public who often violate the rules on the road including the rail area. "It has been guarded and given a gate, but it is still violated, especially if it is not given," he said. Law enforcement for violators is still not firm.

"It seems that there has been no action against those who violate it. This education can run parallel to the practice of four-track railways, as has been implemented by the United Kingdom and the United States for KAJJ, urban, and freight trains.

Djoko Setijowarno: Comprehensive Audit is Crucial to Knowing the Fundamental Conditions of KAI

Although PT KAI's reputation is considered good in the eyes of the public, the Indonesian Transportation Society considers that a thorough audit of this red plate company still needs to be carried out. Audits are important to know the financial condition of the company - including the efficiency of its budget, as well as an evaluation of its performance.

"I strongly agree and support the audit initiative. This audit can detect hidden managerial weaknesses or current PT KAI deficiencies," said MTI Advisory Board Djoko Setijowarno to Eddy Wijaya in the EdShareOn podcast aired on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Djoko explained that PT KAI as a state-owned enterprise can be said to hold a monopoly on railway transportation in Indonesia. However, in the end, its finances are still losing. Last year, KAI recorded a potential loss of Rp. 1.9-2 trillion.

The reason is the debt and operational burden of Whoosh that makes KAI bear the burden of losses as the holder of 59.53% of PT PSBI's shares, the manager of the fast train project.

Therefore, the audit will be able to read KAI's governance whether it is in accordance with standards and check its fundamentals - whether it is still on the right track or not.

"KAI has become a showcase of public transportation services that we are proud of. If we are careless and there is even a little incident, the system must respond quickly in making decisions, so as not to undermine public confidence," said Djoko.

In line with the improvement of KAI's governance, Djoko assessed that the Indonesian railway industry is growing rapidly with the increasing diversity of operators such as PT KAI, MRT Jakarta, and LRT Jakarta. This opens up new opportunities, including for private investors to develop commuter corridors. "For investors to dare to enter, there must be reforms and legal certainty through revisions to the Railway Law," he said.

Who is Eddy Wijaya, this is his profile

Eddy Wijaya is a podcaster born on August 17, 1972. Through the YouTube account @EdShareOn, Eddy interviewed many national figures ranging from state officials, legal experts, political experts, national politicians, to local celebrities.

The man with a characteristic right cheek dimple is also a nationalist who is an activist for the marginalized and social observers by helping the community through the Wijaya Peduli Bangsa Foundation. He is also active in the field of sports by serving as the Chairman of the Indonesian Equestrian Sports Association (Pordasi) Pacu and also served as Deputy General Chairman of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) East Jakarta.

Eddy also served as an Advisory Board of the Indonesian Chinese Social Marga Association, 2022-2026 term of office. His ideas were formed because of his hard work to be independent from the age of 13 to be successful as he is now. For Eddy, the working world is not as smooth as imagined, failure and rejection are common. This is what makes him hold fast to the tagline "Success is only a matter of time". (ADV)