Train Hits ‘Odong-odong’, Nine People Killed

DOKUMENTASI HUMAS POLDA BANTEN

Dozens of residents see the scars of an accident between odong-odong and passenger trains at an unstoppable crossing in Silebu Village, Silebu Village, Kragilan District, Serang Regency, Banten, Tuesday (26/7/2022) afternoon..

TANGERANG, KOMPAS – Nine people were killed and 22 others were injured when a train crashed into an odong-odong amusement ride at a railway crossing without a gate in Silebu village, Kragilan district, Serang regency, Banten, on Tuesday (26/7/ 2022).

Odong-odong, minibuses modified into amusement rides for children in lower-income areas, are actually prohibited from entering public roads. Vehicle-train collisions often occur as many railway crossings in the country are not equipped with gates.

Train services on the Merak-Rangkasbitung route were temporarily halted after the KA 425 trait hit an odong-odong at KM 101+5/6 between Walantaka Station and Cikeusal Station at 11.12 a.m. The train hit the left rear of the odong-odong, which was carrying 31 children and adults living around Cibetik village. The odong-odong was dragged several meters away.

As a result, three children and six adults died in the incident. Six children and other adult passengers were seriously injured, while the remaining 16 children and adults suffered minor injuries. The dead were taken to Drajat Prawiranegara Hospital, while the injured were treated at Hermina Ciruas Hospital.

Parents should not let their children ride on odong-odong that go onto public roads.

The head of the Serang Police, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Yudha Satria, said on Tuesday that odong-odong were prohibited on public roads because they were not intended for public transportation. However, many modified vehicles such as odong-odong, often carrying a lot of passengers, are still found on public roads, he added.

“Parents should not let their children ride on odong-odong that go onto public roads," he said.

The police also coordinated with the Banten provincial government, Serang regency government, and state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia to install a gate at the crossing where the accident occurred.

The Banten Traffic Police deployed a traffic accident analysis (TAA) team to the accident site. The odong-odong was categorized as an overloaded vehicle.

The director of the Banten Traffic Police Department, Commissioner Budi Mulyanto, said the TAA team took pictures at the accident location, checking the position of the victims and the driver in the vehicle.

“The odong-odong was equipped with the chassis of a truck and the engine of an Isuzu car. It should be used to maximally transport seven passengers, including the driver. By carrying up to 26 passengers, including the driver, it means it had violated traffic regulations,” he said.

DOKUMENTASI HUMAS POLDA BANTEN

Police from the Traffic Directorate of the Banten Police deployed a traffic accident analysis team to the location of the accident between odong-odong and passenger trains at an unbarred crossing in Silebu Village, Silebu Village, Kragilan District, Serang Regency, Banten, Tuesday (26/7/2022) afternoon.

The modification could be clearly seen from the extension of the seating position and other changes to the vehicle’s body. This suggests there was ignorance and intention (in the modification of the vehicle) that have to be examined during the investigation process through the testimonies of witnesses, experts and evidence.

Some regions have issued a regulation prohibiting odong-odong from operating. In Jakarta, for example, the Jakarta Transportation Office and Jakarta Police banned odong-odong from operating on public roads in 2019, especially highways (kompas.id, October 29, 2019). The policy was implemented after many accidents involving odong-odong in the capital.

According to Law No. 22/2009 concerning road traffic and transportation, modified vehicles must be tested. The test includes the steering system, wheels and vehicle fittings, all of which must meet legal standards.

Odong-odong, which are mostly used for business, are still widely used for amusement rides in residential areas.

According to the prevailing rule, a motorized vehicle must be registered and have a vehicle registration document (STNK). Without an STNK and a roadworthiness certificate or a motor vehicle type test certificate (SRUT), the vehicle does not meet roadworthy requirements. Almost all odong-odong do not meet these requirements.

However, until now, odong-odong, which are mostly used for business, are still widely used for amusement rides in residential areas.

No gates

Apart from the odong-odong issue, many railway crossings in Banten are still not equipped with gates. The head of cargo, railway and multimodal transportation at the Banten Transportation Agency, Dani Hendra, said about 300 railroad crossings in Banten were equipped with gates. The installation of gates requires coordination with the local government and should be carried out gradually.

“The Silebu village head has to coordinate with or contact the regency government. The provincial government can finance the gate’s installation if the regency government asks for help because of a lack of funds," he said.

KAI Commuter, which operates the local train service for the Merak-Rangkasbitung route, apologized for the accident. KAI’s corporate secretary for commuter services, Erni Sylviane Purba, ensured that the company would follow up on the incident to prevent future occurrences that can endanger the lives of residents and train passengers. (AND)

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.