George Town’s trishaw trade, once thought to be fading into history, is experiencing a surprising comeback. A new wave of young riders is breathing fresh energy into the iconic service, turning it into a living heritage attraction within the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Around Armenian Street alone, about 20 young riders now operate trishaws. Across George Town, the total number is estimated between 50 and 60. Many of them are in their 30s, with several following in the footsteps of family members who once pedalled the same routes.
Rider Amiruddin Alif is one of them. He joined the trade after watching his uncle at work. “As long as tourists keep coming, I think the trishaws will still be here,” he said.
The riders ferry foreign tourists from China, Japan, Korea, India, the United States, Europe, and Arab countries through the narrow heritage lanes. A standard ride covering 1 to 2 km costs between RM50 and RM80 for 30 to 60 minutes, while shorter trips within the heritage area go for about RM30. Many riders also double as informal tour guides, sharing stories about the architecture and murals along the way.
The most requested stop is Ernest Zacharevic’s “Children on a Bicycle” mural, created for the 2012 George Town Festival and now one of the most photographed landmarks in the city.
Riders earn between RM2,000 and RM3,000 per month, with higher income possible during peak tourist seasons. Tropical heat is manageable, but rain remains the biggest challenge, often cutting short a day’s work.
The Penang government provides each rider a RM200 monthly allowance, a measure introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to keep the trade alive and continued since. George Town World Heritage Incorporated also runs repair and refurbishment programmes for traditional trishaws. The trade is licensed and regulated by the Penang Island City Council.
Despite uncertainty about long-term career plans, many riders believe trishaws will endure as a core part of George Town’s cultural identity. They hope for continued state support through incentives, tourism-related training, and licensing opportunities to enhance service quality.
Source: The Sun
