Kota bharu: 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.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, 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 there is no specific location for trishaw riders to wait for passengers, resulting in tourists finding it hard to identify the availability of such services.
Wan Saipul Azwal mentioned that currently, trishaws are primarily found around Gate Two of the Siti Khadijah Market and are used more for transporting traders' goods than for carrying the public. He emphasized that establishing trishaw waiting stations and displaying special signboards at tourist hotspots could lead to more organized and legal operations for trishaw riders, while also enhancing accessibility for local and foreign tourists.
He also proposed that the state government consider implementing special trishaw fares and packages as a tourism product, similar to practices in other states. Without comprehensive promotion and support, the trishaw service risks extinction, even though Kelantan is known for the uniqueness of its traditional trishaws, which maintain their original identity without excessive decorations.
Meanwhile, Kota Bharu Trishaw Association chairman Che Udi Che Pa, who has been a trishaw peddler for over 30 years, supports the proposal to build a special trishaw station and expresses concern about the shrinking future of the profession. Che Udi highlighted that the number of registered trishaw riders in the area has decreased significantly, with many retiring due to age, health, and uncertain income.
According to Che Udi, a round-trip fare around the city costs about RM20, but this amount does not guarantee a daily income due to a lack of customers. He noted that the job requires physical strength, and younger individuals are not interested in taking up the profession due to unattractive returns. 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.