PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - PT Kereta Api Regional Operation 2 Bandung again closed 2 illegal crossing points on Friday (6/9/2024) on the road between Cimekar Station-Rancaekek Station Kp Babakan Raja, Cileunyi Wetan Village, Cileunyi District and Plot road between Ciganea-Purwakarta.

Public Relations Manager of PT KAI Daop 2 Bandung Ayep Hanapi said that throughout January - September 2024, a total of 25 illegal crossing points had been closed.

"Of this number, there are 6 points in Garut Regency, 1 point in Cianjur Regency, 2 points in Ciamis Regency, 3 points in Bandung Regency, 6 points in Sukabumi Regency, 2 points in Tasikmalaya Regency, 2 points in Tasikmalaya City, 1 point in points in Bandung City and 2 other points in Purwakarta Regency," said Ayep, at the Daop 2 Bandung Office, Friday (6/9/2024).

According to Ayep, the closure of this illegal crossing is an effort to prevent accidents. And for the public to use alternative routes.

"During January - September 2024, there were 16 recorded accidents that occurred at level crossings with 8 fatalities, 1 serious injury and 2 minor injuries," he said.

Ayep added that before closing, we conducted outreach by visiting regional elements and residents around the location and installing notification banners.

'In closing this illegal crossing, PT KAI Daop 2 Bandung is working with several related parties, starting from the Directorate General of Railways, Ministry of Transportation, Regional Government, and several other parties," he said.

For the safety of train travel and road users, level crossings that do not have permits must be closed. This is in accordance with Law No. 23 of 2007 concerning Railways Article 94. The closure is carried out by the government or local government.

Vehicle users who will pass through official level crossings are also advised to continue to follow the rules through the signs that have been prepared. Drivers are asked not to force themselves to continue driving if the sign has sounded.

This is also in accordance with PP No. 72 of 2009 concerning Railway Traffic in Article 110 which states that at a level crossing between a railway line and a road for general traffic or special traffic, road users are required to give priority to train travel. Road users are required to comply all road signs at level crossings. Level crossing gates at level crossings serve to secure train travel.

The total number of level crossings in the Daop 2 Bandung area is 420 points, with details of 357 level crossing points and 63 non-level crossing points. For level crossings, 225 points are not guarded and 132 points are guarded, both guarded by PT KAI, guarded by the local government and guarded by self-help community, while for non-level crossings there are 39 flyover points and 24 underpass points.

"We appeal to the community living around the railway line not to make illegal crossings that could endanger the safety of train travel and the people passing by. PT KAI continues to strive to conduct outreach to the community to be orderly in traffic and help maintain the safety of train travel," concluded Ayep. . (Paranoid)