LOS TEROPONG: Reinventing the Trishaw

Georgetown, Penang-29 Dec 2006 - There is talk about rebranding the trishaw in Penang; and there are only 130 penarik beca or trishawmen left in Penang and their average age is 60 ... gosh. These are the proposed steps towards the rebranding:

Free haircut by professional stylists. Thirty-six trishawmen had their haircut at an open area beside the Town Hall in Jalan Padang Kota Lama here yesterday.
Providing them free T-shirts, shoes and umbrellas.
A six-hour course will be organised next month to teach them business ethics, hospitality and interaction with tourists.
A double-storey building in Jalan Kampung Kaka would be converted into a trishaw centre or Balai Beca. Balai Beca is expected to be ready in two weeks and will house a mini museum on trishaws, a workshop to make and repair trishaws and a clubhouse for trishawmen.

Goodness gracious me .. who's the consultant? This is going to rebrand the beca? My god .. a free haircut? - most of them don't have hair anymore!! and a six-hour course to 50-60 year olds!! They will fall asleep after 10 minutes!! Aiyaa ... Have you seen the state of the trishaws? It is more of a relic. This is what needs to be done, and I am not charging anything for the tips;

Redesign the whole trishaw into a more modern piece
Place a brochure holder on the trishaw for tourists
Solar panels on the trishaw for a fan and a small cooler box to supply cold drinks to customer while on the ride
Stereo system on the trishaw for music while on the trishaw
Small motorise mechanism for uphill locations
Younger pullers, say 35-year old
Proper attire with tie (even English dustmen wear ties while sweeping the road)
Design city routes for benefit of tourist with fare rates
Severeal 'stations' all around the routes (just like the tube station)
Take digital shot and print for tourist (optional)
Guest book on board the trishaw for guests
Tips are acceptable
Prepare print-out of history of interesting sites along the routes
Give receipt to customers (picked up along the way)
Basic salary to each puller
Generate revenue for them by placing advertiseents on the trishaws

'nuff said. Aiyaa, tak tau lah .. see if this works ..

LOS TEROPONG

Los Teropong (Teropong means binoculars) comments on current issues in Malaysia, and sometimes the world, and put forth another opinion and perspective. BY THE WAY - THEY HUNG THE WRONG GUY ...