 |
| |
Penang Trishaw
The Fading Masterpiece of Trishaw in Penang
|
|
Holiday in Penang will never be complete, if you do not take an old fashion ride in
Penang trishaw. It is the best way to see and explore the city of Georgetown in a
much slower pace. You will be able to cover every nook and cranny of Georgetown
heritage trails using the eco-friendly mode of transportation that are fast gaining
popularity among tourist.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are about 200 trishaw in Penang which are mostly scattered around
Georgetown area. Penang trishaw comes in many names, Rickshaw, trishaw, taxicab
or locally referred to as beca.
The modern beca in Penang is a pedal-powered trishaw rather than one that’s pulled
by runners. It ferries tourists through narrow lanes, offering them a closer view of
the neighbourhood in an unhurried manner. The nostalgic feeling sitting on top of the
three wheeled beca does indeed an unforgettable experience. Besides the novelty of
traveling in this open-fronted three wheeled vehicle, trishaw allows visitor the
opportunity of visit the sights at a more leisurely pace and stopping at any point to
snap picture or to buy souvenir.
Beca riders are equipped with information about the interesting sights along the
tourism route that they took, thanks to the state government initiative in providing
training and the re-branding effort which includes beatification on the current old
beca. This will makes a visitor's ride more interesting and at the same time raise the
image of Penang trishaw riders which are one of the frontlines in making foreign
tourist stay in Penang enjoyable.
The price of using a beca in Penang varies from about RM 15 to about RM 30 per
hour. Try to negotiate for the best price before using this service. Some tour agent
or hotels provide a package tour which includes sightseeing on trishaw with lunch or
dinner included. The package tour cost about USD 35 to USD 45 and last about 2 to
3 hour.
The Future of Penang Trishaw riders
Today, as our quality of life improves, the intimate portrait of the beca, sadly, has
become a legacy fighting for survival. Trishaw, which amount to about 1000 in the
80s are slowly declining in numbers. While it can still be seen making the rounds in
Penang, Malacca and Kota Baru, the beca is slowly turning into a museum
masterpiece.
And with rising living standards, the shoestring earnings of beca are on a one-way
road to a natural demise. Most trishaw-men are well past their prime though in all
fairness, with that entire workout from daily pedaling, they have a strength that
belies their age. Some beca riders, with the help of travel agent had to do away
with pay cut to get enough customers just to stay in business.
Unsure how long he can continue pedaling, one beca riders Mr. Mohd Syed prefers
his children to work in factories instead and loathes the idea of them following in his
footsteps. Given a choice, he too would prefer to do something else. So, while some
becas are still around, seek them out and take a ride down memory lane before it
reaches the end of the road.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Return from Penang Trishaw to Travel in Penang
|
|
Return from Penang Trishaw to Penang Vacations (Home Page)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
