PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - A total of 36 illegal crossing points in the PT Kereta Api Daerah Opeasi 2 Bandung area have been closed throughout January-December 2024.

Of this number, there are 6 points in Garut Regency, 8 points in Cianjur Regency, 2 points in Ciamis Regency, 4 points in Bandung Regency and 3 points in Purwakarta Regency, 2 points in Tasikmalaya City, 3 points in Tasikmalaya Regency, 2 points in Bandung City and 6 points in Sukabumi Regency.

In closing this illegal crossing, PT KAI Daop 2 Bandung cooperates with several related parties. Starting from the Directorate General of Railways of the Ministry of Transportation, local governments, and with several other parties.

Executive Vice President of KAI Daop 2 Bandung, Dicky Eka Priandana, said that the closure of this illegal crossing was an effort to prevent accidents.

"Throughout January-December 2024, there were 22 recorded accidents that occurred at level crossings with 9 fatalities, 3 minor injuries and 4 serious injuries," said Dicky, Monday (20/1/2025).

Before closing, PT KAI Daop 2 Bandung has conducted socialization by visiting regional elements and residents around the location and installing notification banners. In accordance with Law No. 23 of 2007 concerning Railways Article 94. The closure is carried out by the government or local government.

"PT KAI Daop 2 Bandung appeals to residents living around the railway line not to make illegal crossings that could endanger the safety of train travel and the people passing by," said Dicky.

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 level intersections between railway lines and roads for general traffic or special traffic, road users are required to give priority to train travel.

The total level crossings in the Daop 2 Bandung area are 424 points, with details of 363 level crossing points and 61 non-level crossing points. For level crossings, 198 points are unguarded and 136 points are guarded, both guarded by PT KAI, guarded by the local government and guarded by community self-help, while for non-level crossings, there are 38 flyover points and 23 underpass points.

"We appeal to the community living around the railway line not to make illegal crossings that can endanger the safety of train travel and the people passing by. PT KAI continues to strive to socialize the community to be orderly in traffic and help maintain the safety of train travel," concluded Dicky. (no)