Reflecting the Krapyak Toll Road Crash, the DPR asked the Ministry of Transportation to tighten the Ramp Check for Nataru Transportation

Illustration of the bus terminal during the Christmas holiday. (Antara)a

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission V of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, Syaiful Huda, asked the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) to ensure that all bus fleets for the mobilization of the 2025 Christmas and New Year 2026 (Nataru) holidays pass the traffic safety and road transport inspection (ramp check).

This was conveyed by Huda in response to the fatal accident involving the PO Bus Cahaya Trans at the Krapyak Toll Junction, Semarang, on Monday, December 22 in the early hours. He emphasized that no bus that was not roadworthy should be forced to operate in order to pursue the profits of the bus company (PO).

"The tragedy on the Krapyak Toll Road is a deep sorrow and a warning for all of us. With an estimated 119.5 million people who will move for homecoming, new year celebrations, and tourism, the government has no room for tolerance for the slightest negligence," Syaiful Huda told reporters, Tuesday, December 23.

Huda assessed that the accident was a loud alarm for the readiness of national transportation ahead of the 2025 Christmas and New Year 2026 holidays. The event that killed 16 people, said Huda, must be a turning point for the government to tighten supervision of fleet eligibility.

He also urged the Ministry of Transportation together with all related stakeholders to immediately implement a comprehensive strategy to ensure security across all transportation lines, both land, sea, air, and rail.

For bus transportation, Huda asked the Ministry of Transportation to conduct a massive and thorough safety inspection. He did not want speculation about the unsuitability of the fleet or the behavior of the driver's habits due to work pressure to become a common phenomenon during the peak holiday season.

"The Ministry of Transportation must ensure that all PO Bus fleets operating for Nataru transportation have passed the ramp check. There should be no 'zombie' buses or buses that are not roadworthy that are still forced to operate in order to chase deposits in the midst of high demand," said the PKB Legislator from the West Java District.

In addition to unit eligibility, Huda also highlighted the health and working hours of drivers. According to him, the high intensity of work during the Nataru period often makes bus crews exhausted, which leads to decreased concentration on the highway.

"We ask the Ministry of Transportation and the police to ensure that there is a health examination for bus crews at major terminals. Drivers must be in good condition and not under the influence of any substance," he said.

"Work time management must also be closely monitored, do not let drivers be forced to work beyond their human limits," he added.

Huda reminded, with the majority of mobility predicted to be centered on Java Island, vulnerable points such as toll roads and tourist routes must receive extra escort.

Huda hopes that coordination between the Ministry of Transportation, the National Police Traffic Directorate, and toll road service providers can prevent the recurrence of heartbreaking incidents like the one experienced by the Cahaya Trans Bus PO.

"The safety of 119.5 million lives of citizens who are mobile is the responsibility of the state. We don't want the joy of the holidays to turn into grief due to negligence in the management of public transportation," he concluded.