House Backs Transit Housing for Workers and Fishermen

RRI.CO.ID, South Tangerang – Member of Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR) Roberth Rouw said housing based on transit-oriented development (TOD) could be an alternative for providing homes to low-income communities, particularly in urban areas such as the Jakarta metropolitan area. The concept is considered to offer residents easier access to housing integrated with public transportation.

“We are here at Rawa Buntu Railway Station, and we can see that these apartments are very strategically located,” Roberth said after visiting the Samesta Mahata Serpong flat complex in South Tangerang, Banten, on Friday, August 28, 2026.

According to Roberth, housing integrated with public transportation makes it easier for people who work in Jakarta to commute. From the residential area, residents can reach major activity centers in a relatively short time while using affordable public transportation.

"People who work in Jakarta need less than an hour, perhaps around 35–40 minutes, to get there. The transportation cost (here) is only Rp4,000 (23 US cents)," he explained at the complex, built by the state-owned housing company Perumnas.

He said this was one of the key advantages of TOD-based housing, as residents not only have access to homes but also benefit from easier mobility to workplaces and other activity centers.

Furthermore, Roberth hoped that housing development for low-income communities would not be concentrated solely in urban areas and their surroundings, but could also be expanded to other areas where working communities need housing. He said industrial areas, fishing communities, and port areas where many people work should also be taken into consideration when providing housing.

“Fishing communities and port areas for dockworkers and cargo handlers at ports need to be prepared for the future. So far, we have seen that, to be frank, fishermen in particular are still regarded as a poor segment of society,” he said.

Roberth said providing decent housing in these areas could go hand in hand with efforts to empower local communities. For fishing communities in particular, he believes the maritime sector has significant potential to improve people's welfare while also contributing to the national economy.

“If fishermen are truly empowered, state revenues could increase significantly. Therefore, we believe the government needs to pay attention to this going forward. Fishing communities and their areas should be properly planned and developed so that they receive the attention they deserve,” he said.