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PT KAI teams up with ITB lightning experts to improve service
Recent operational problems were reported with trains traveling from Bekasi to Bogor and Depok in West Java.
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Workers fix an upper electricity network in Kebon Pedes, Bogor, West Java, that was struck by lightning on March 11. (Antara photo via tempo.co/-)
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fter experiencing operational issues on its commuter train service caused by lightning, state-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia, the parent company of commuter train operator PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia, will team up with experts from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) to find a solution.
“We will be working with lightning experts from ITB. We will hold our first meeting on Tuesday, when we will discuss our problems and what we can do to solve the issues,” KAI president director Edi Sukmoro said on Friday as quoted by tempo.co.
He added that Indonesia was located in an area where lightning was known to strike hard, often disrupting rail services, especially in Greater Jakarta.
He mentioned recent operational problems with trains traveling from Bekasi to Bogor and Depok in West Java.
On April 1, a train traveling from Tanah Abang to Maja and another from Tanah Abang to Parung Panjang stopped operating for several hours after the upper electricity network system was stuck by lightning.
“Our trains are actually equipped with lightning rods. However, the rods will not work if the lightning strikes too hard,” Edi said.
KAI commercial director Dody Budiawan said lightning had often struck tracks along Sawangan, Depok. (vla)
