Indonesia Closes 172 Illegal Railway Level Crossings

Indonesia has begun a national rail safety programme focused on closing illegal railway level crossings. It also covers improvements at other high-risk crossing points. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Under the initiative, 172 illegal crossings across the country have been shut. The closures are meant to reduce accidents involving road users, pedestrians and train operations.

According to ANTARA News, the Government is carrying out the measure. It is working through the Ministry of Transportation (Kementerian Perhubungan). PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) and other relevant stakeholders are also involved. Also, the closures followed official assessments of crossings considered hazardous. They had limited safety controls, weak protection or unsuitable physical conditions.

172 Illegal Railway Level Crossings Closed

The Government has acted against 172 unauthorized railway crossings. These sites lacked proper regulatory oversight or sufficient safety infrastructure. They were selected after a broader evaluation of level crossings in Indonesia. The review found that some locations created clear risks for pedestrians and vehicle drivers.

Indonesia has 3,674 railway level crossings in total. The total includes both registered and unregistered crossings. In addition, the crossings selected for closure were assessed as especially risky. Some road widths were below the minimum safety standard of 2 metres. Other crossings lacked adequate protection for people moving across the railway line.

The closures are part of a wider policy effort. The Ministry of Transportation and related state agencies are targeting higher-risk railway intersections. Their goal is to bring those sites under stronger control and reduce collisions.

Railway Crossing Safety Upgrades Planned

Alongside the closures, the Government has identified 1,638 additional priority locations. These sites need safety improvements. They require guards, protective barriers, communication equipment, warning signs and other compliant safety installations.

At the same time, the programme covers more than removing unsafe crossings. It also covers crossings that remain in use. The Government has allocated funding for faster safety work at priority sites.

Rp800 Billion Allocated for Rail Crossing Improvements

Meanwhile, Indonesia has set aside approximately Rp800 billion, equal to around US$44 million. The money is for railway crossing infrastructure improvements nationwide. Also, the funds are intended for safety facilities, crossing guards and technology. That technology can improve visibility and communication at critical crossing points.

The allocation supports the programme’s aim of reducing risk at railway intersections. It also supports stronger regulation and safety across the wider railway network.

Level Crossing Accident Data Shows Recent Decline

Official records cited by ANTARA News show 1,058 level crossing accidents. The period covered the past three years. Many incidents involved collisions between trains and road vehicles or pedestrians. They occurred at locations without sufficient safety measures.

The data shows a decline in reported level crossing accidents in recent years. There were 337 accidents in 2024 and 291 in 2025. As of May 1, 2026, 102 incidents had been reported.

Still, the Government has stated that continued safety improvements are needed. It says those measures should maintain the downward trend and further reduce accident risks.

Most Accidents Linked to Unguarded or Unsafe Crossings

Official data indicates that most railway crossing accidents occurred at unauthorized sites. Many also occurred at crossings without proper supervision. Nearly 80 per cent of recorded incidents involved such crossings. Those sites lacked adequate control measures or safety personnel.

For example, motorcycles and cars accounted for a notable share of the vehicles involved. These figures point to risks faced by road users. The risk is higher where protection, warnings or supervision are insufficient.

Public Awareness Efforts Continue

The infrastructure measures are being paired with public awareness campaigns. They are aimed at encouraging safer behaviour around railway lines. In addition, authorities are reminding road users about the dangers of crossing tracks improperly. They are also urging compliance with signs, barriers and safety rules.

Also, officials have stressed that trains cannot stop quickly. That makes caution essential for drivers, riders and pedestrians at railway crossings.

Coordinated Rail Safety Approach

Illegal crossing closures are part of Indonesia’s broader transport safety approach. The planned upgrades are part of the same approach. The programme involves government ministries and local authorities. It also includes state-owned enterprises such as PT Kereta Api Indonesia.

At the same time, Indonesia is using enforcement, funding and public education. These measures address long-standing safety problems at railway intersections. Further improvements are expected to continue. The Government seeks to reduce collision risks and protect rail passengers and road users.

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