Since June 2023, the familiar sight of trishaws winding through the
streets of Singapore has become a thing of the past, marking the end of
an era as the last licensed operator ceased operations.
Trishaw Uncle, the final operator, had been providing trishaw tours
from Albert Mall Trishaw Park on Queen Street since 2010. However, when
their contract with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) expired in May
2023, it was not renewed, leading to the discontinuation of trishaw
services.
According to reports, efforts to secure an alternative site for
operations proved futile. Despite exploring potential locations in
Chinatown, Marina Bay, and Gardens by the Bay, they faced obstacles such
as space allocation and usage restrictions.
The closure of Trishaw Uncle also marked the end of an era for the
100 trishaws it owned, which were subsequently scrapped due to the lack
of suitable storage facilities.
Trishaw tours offered visitors a unique way to explore the city's
heritage sites like Little India, Chinatown, and Kampong Glam. The
decline in trishaw operations also had implications for employment, with
the number of riders dwindling from 40 to 50 pre-pandemic to just 20
post-pandemic.
While the era of trishaw rides in Singapore has come to a close, STB
remains optimistic about the diverse array of tour offerings available
to both local and international visitors, ensuring that the spirit of
exploration and discovery lives on in new and innovative forms.