Teksiiiii!

The cheapest mode of transport when I was in Primary school in the 50's was the three-wheeled trishaw or popularly known as "teksi". We paid only about 30 sen each way. Although we didn't hire the trishaw monthly, I remember a couple of the 'pakcik teksi's would wait to ferry us to and from school each day.

A trishaw of yesteryears now a museum piece

Behind the seat there was a canvas hood which could be opened and closed like a fan. When it rained, the 'pakcik teksi' would open the hood and cover the front part with a plastic sheet, thus sheltering the passengers within. (But somehow I got wet many times!) Sometimes I took pity on the 'pakciks' especially when he had to alight from his trishaw and push it up a hilly road or up a bridge. More so when his passengers were heavy built or his trishaw was laden with large bundles of goods. At other times, some drunken (orang putih) sailors after their merry-making at a bar would hire the trishaw and race along Wolferston Road ... What a sight that was!

The present day trishaws waiting for tourists

As time goes by, the trishaw was not that popular anymore. Young men refused to be trishaw peddlers. The trishaw almost became history that is until the Tourism Board of Malacca upgraded it, and Maxis and Celcom use it in their promotional campaigns. So the Malacca trishaw-pullers (supported by Maxis & Celcom) bedeck their vehicles using artificial flowers, tinsels and the like to attract the many tourists. Some even have a small radio transistor set installed adding more to the noise pollution. These trishaws only operate in the touristy areas around the clock tower area, the Famosa and Jonker Walk. And you don't pay 30 or 50 sen anymore! Gone were the days when a trishaw would transport school-going kids or ladies returning from the market.