With Dearth Of Customers, Trishaw Riders Face Challenging Times In Kota Bharu

KOTA BHARU, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- The trishaw, once the main mode of transportation in Kota Bharu city, is now facing challenges to remain relevant, despite still holding value as a cultural heritage and tourist attraction in the state.

The lack of basic amenities such as dedicated stations and specific signages is seen as one of the factors making it difficult for tourists to obtain trishaw services, thus affecting the sustainability of the trishaw rider.

The Kelantan State Licensed Tour Guide Association (3PK) chairman Wan Saipul Azwal Wan Muhammad suggested that the state government provide special stations and specific signages for trishaw services around the city of Kota Bharu as an effort to preserve the uniqueness of the state's tourism heritage.

He said now there is no specific location for trishaw riders to wait for passengers, thus resulting in tourists finding it hard to identify the availability of such services.

“Passengers might be interested in using a trishaw to tour the city, but they don't know where to find one. There is no specific number or reference centre to contact," he told Bernama recently.

According to him, currently, trishaws are only found around Gate Two of the Siti Khadijah Market and are used more for transporting traders' goods than for carrying the public.

Wan Saipul Azwal said that his party has repeatedly proposed to the relevant authorities to establish trishaw waiting stations and display special signboards at tourist hotspots.

"If there are waiting stations, trishaw riders can operate in a more organised and legal way, in addition to making it easier for local and foreign tourists to obtain this service," he said.

He also suggested that the state government consider special trishaw fares and packages as a tourism product, in line with practices in several other states.

According to him, without comprehensive promotion and support, the trishaw service risks extinction even though Kelantan is known for the uniqueness of its traditional trishaws, which still maintain their original identity without excessive decorations.

“We don't want to change the identity of the trishaw but want the original culture to be preserved. However, there needs to be a system so that people can use this service and the riders can depend on an income," he said.

Meanwhile, Kota Bharu Trishaw Association chairman Che Udi Che Pa, 72, supports the proposal to build a special trishaw station and expresses concern about the shrinking future of the profession.

Che Udi, who has been a trishaw peddler for over 30 years, said a special station should be established near the Siti Khadijah Market, considering the number of registered trishaw riders in the area is now only around 10, compared to over 50 at one point.

“Many (trishaw peddlers) retired due to age, health as well as an uncertain income. Some have passed away,” said Che Udi, who lives in Kampung Sungai Budor here.

According to him, a round-trip fare around the city costs about RM20, but this amount still doesn't guarantee a daily income due to a lack of customers.

Che Udi said the job requires physical strength… but today, young people do not want to take up this profession as the returns are not attractive. Most of the peddlers today are aged between 50 and 60 years old.

He added that despite receiving monthly assistance of RM500 and support from the tourism sector, the lack of a dedicated station and effective promotions has led to the trishaw service becoming increasingly marginalised.

-- BERNAMA