Closes Regional Train Crossings, Ministry Of Transportation Wants Train Door Breakers To Be Sentenced

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation has prepared a number of ways to reduce the level of accidents at level railroad crossings. One of them is the plan to close the level crossing.

Director General of Railways of the Ministry of Transportation Risal Wasal said that level crossings are one of the issues of railway safety.

To overcome this level crossing problem, the main action taken is not to issue a level crossing permit.

Not only that, said Risal, his party also continues to close level crossings.

With the increasing number of level crossings, it is hoped that rail travel will be safer and safer.

"Since the formation of DJKA in 2005, we have never issued another permit to officially open a level crossing, except for its temporary nature because there is a construction or road shift, it is also guarded. Second, our target is to close all level crossings," he said in Jakarta, written Sunday, August 6.

Risal said, the initial target of closing the level crossing was to close the adjacent railroad crossing, namely less than 800 meters and or less than 2 meters wide.

After being closed, continued Risal, facilities will be built. Such as the early warning system (EWS), the railway line sterilization fence, building pedestrian bridges or vehicles, as well as Flyovers or Underpasses on crossings as an alternative access for road users.

"In building and maintaining this facility, of course, we share responsibility with local governments, train operators, and other related parties in accordance with the provisions stipulated in the Railway Law and its derivative regulations. Because the number of crossings in the field is very large, while there are budget constraints," said Risal.

Breaking Through A Division Crossing Will Be Sentenced

In addition, Risal said, along with the increase in rail infrastructure, which has doubled or double tracks and double dwi tracks, the speed of the train is increasing. Therefore, the Ministry of Transportation appealed to the public to be more vigilant.

Based on the 2023 Train Travel Graphics (Gapeka), the speed of the train is now in the position of 120km per hour, from the previous 80km per hour. In fact, in the future it will reach 160 km per hour.

"This means that the train has gotten faster when heading and passing through a level crossing. Not to mention that it is now a double track, even a double track. This means that the train that passes is getting more and faster. So, we must be more vigilant with crossings," he said.

Risal warned that the perpetrators of breaking into a level crossing could be punished.

For example, he said, the case that occurred in Semarang, is currently still in process that the truck owner is required to compensate for the impact of the losses caused.

"Residential crossing permit holders, for example, local governments can also be held accountable if they are found to be negligent in guarding the level crossing gate," he said.