If you go to penang and walk in the town, you will certainly meet the trishaws. This is the old mode of transport way during the time when cars and motorbikes were a rare view.
now the trishaws are more as a tourist attraction. It is the best way to tour the town. It is open and move slowly in the crowded street. It give you the opportunity to appreciate the town, and snap a few photos.
It is good to see that effort is being made by the state to assist the trishaws operators. One of the complaint was, there were no base for their operation. Unlike buses which has its own bus station and taxis with the taxi station. At least the operators have the wash room facilities, a place to clean up and probably take a short nap to refresh himself.
During the festive seasons, the trishaws operators will dress his trishaw with the theme of the festival. Some will put on blinkering lights and some come complete with the tour guide recorded on tape. A small speakers are installed at both ends of the bikes.
The start newspaper reported about the trishaws in Penang.
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Sunday October 4, 2009
Penang trishaws due for makeover soon
By MANJIT KAUR
GEORGE TOWN: Good news for trishaw riders in the state — they will not only be “re-branded” but will soon have a place to take a shower or a short nap during the day.
State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said 90 trishaws from two organisations would also be overhauled and repaired by the end of the year.
He said the exercise was made possible by the joint initiative of the state government and DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd.
On the venue for riders to rest or take a shower, he said several sites in Victoria Street and Kimberley Street were being considered.
“We appeal to house owners or philanthropists to rent us their buildings at a lower rate or let us use it for free,” Law told reporters after showing five repaired and gaily-decorated trishaws in front of Maybank Komtar here yesterday.
He said it would cost between RM200 and RM300 to repair each trishaw, depending on its condition.
“There is only one shop in the state that does such repairs, which means it will take time to repair all the 90 trishaws.”
Law also said the state planned to standardise the fares for trishaw rides.
Currently, it costs RM30 for an hour-long tour.
A statement issued by DiGi said the programme was aimed at establishing and promoting the legacy of trishaws as one of the island’s key attractions.
DiGi’s northern region head Siew Chee Kong said the company had always been supportive of the state government’s efforts to preserve the cultural richness of the state, which in turn would promote Penang as an exciting tourist destination.
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