TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Two trains of Light Rail Transit or LRT Jabodebek collided during a trial run on the Cibubur-Ciracas route, East Jakarta.

“It’s informed [that the trains collided] while being tested. They say the trains were empty. The team has not yet received accurate data but they are already there,” said the Head of the East Jakarta Fire Department, Gatot Sulaiman, on Monday, October 25.

Gatot explained that the collision was first reported at around 2:30 p.m. The chronology of the incident is not yet known. The firefighters are on the site to assist the evacuation process.

Based on circulating photos, the two trains collided with one mounting slightly on top of the other. Shortly after the incident, the part of the crashed trains was covered by a tarp.

The Commitment Officer (PPK) for the LRT Jabodebek Infrastructure Development project, Ferdian Suryo Adhi Pramono, suspected that the incident was caused by the negligence of the drivers.

“This is why the automated train system or GoA3 (Grade-of-Automation 3) will be applied, so if there is a driver's negligence, the system will anticipate it,” said Ferdian to Tempo on Monday, October 25.

He ensured that there were no errors in the signaling system and other infrastructure. His side is waiting for the investigation process launched by state-owned train manufacturer PT Industri Kereta Api (INKA). Meanwhile, the loss is still being calculated by the Transportation Ministry. “It is still being examined and is under the responsibility of INKA,” said Ferdian.

INKA confirmed that it is conducting an investigation into the cause of the incident. However, it has not yet issued any official statement.

Read: LRT to Operate Mid-2022, Fares Capped at Rp15,000

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH | FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA