Since the last trishaw operator’s deal expired and was not renewed in Singapore in June 2023, trishaws have been operating on the streets of Singapore.
The technician, Trishaw Uncle, had run trishaw journeys from Albert Mall Trishaw Park on Queen Street since 2010.
Tieu Xin Yue, an executive with Trishaw Uncle, reported to CNA that the business had a contract with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB ) to obtain its operating license.
We were informed that we would have to return the site for other purposes before the contract term ended, which was last May, according to Ms Tieu’s statement on Tuesday ( Apr 9 ).
Trishaw Uncle, she continued, was the last controller with a license to operate a tricycle at the time its deal ended in May 2023.
Annie Chang, the producer of travel agencies and tourist guides for STB, confirmed that the Trishaw Park site at Queen Street had been “returned to the appropriate companies for their review of the site’s usage.”
” There are now no additional trishaw companies operating in Singapore”, she added.
Ms. Tieu reported that Trishaw Uncle spoke to STB about the possibility of using a different site after being informed that it could no longer utilize the Queen Street place.
Trishaw Uncle discussed possible locations in Chinatown, Marina Bay, and Gardens by the Bay with STB next month.
The company was informed that the chosen sites had different uses or that it was not permitted to use the space, but Ms. Tieu said that the company was unable to locate a suitable location.
She added that the business also needs to take into account accessibility to visit pathways when choosing a blog in addition to being a location where trishaws may be parked. ” It needs to tick all the bins before we decide that it’s a great place”, she said.
Trishaw Uncle already owned 100 trishaws, but it abruptly ended them once its deal expired because it was unable to find a suitable place to keep them, according to Ms. Tieu.
The company used to operate tours covering popular tourist destinations like Little India, Chinatown, Kampong Glam and the Civic District.
Prior to the COVID- 19 crisis, Trishaw Uncle hired about 40 to 50 trishaw users, most of them on a component- time schedule. This dropped to about 20 effective commuters after the pandemic.
Ms Tieu said the trishaw tour represented Singapore’s history and were” an image” of the state.
” If there’s an alternative page, of training we will be willing to reset these procedures”, she added.
” Many of our local tour operators offer a variety of tours in new and different forms,” STB said. We are convinced that many of these services may appeal to visitors from both abroad and the local area.
CNA has contacted the commerce commission for more information.