Indonesian Transport Safety Committee: Argo Bromo Train Driver Instructed to Brake Gradually Before Collision

The National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) has shed light on the tragic train collision at Bekasi Timur Station, revealing that the driver of the Argo Bromo train was instructed to brake gradually rather than applying maximum force. This directive from the control center, according to KNKT head Soerjanto Tjahjono, played a crucial role in the lead-up to the accident on April 27.

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So the driver did not perform maximum braking because the information received from PK Timur was to brake little by little and honk the horn.

Speaking before Commission V of the DPR, Soerjanto detailed that the Argo Bromo train's driver had initiated braking approximately 1.3 kilometers before the collision point. However, the instruction to brake "little by little" and to sound the horn instead of emergency braking appears to have been a critical factor. This raises serious questions about the communication protocols and emergency response procedures within the rail network.

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Actually, the driver, I want to tell you, the driver had started braking at 1.3 kilometers before the collision site, Sir.

The incident, which saw the Argo Bromo train collide with a stationary KRL Commuter Line, resulted in a significant number of casualties, particularly in the women's carriage. The KRL had stopped due to a taxi stalling on the tracks, leading to the subsequent collision. The investigation has already led to the naming of the taxi driver as a suspect, but the KNKT's findings now place a spotlight on the operational decisions made by the train's control center and driver, highlighting potential systemic issues that need urgent rectification.

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If he performed maximum braking, it would take approximately between 900 to 1,000 meters for the train to stop safely.