KOTA BARU: By next year, 10 of the 17 trishaws in Kelantan will be equipped with solar-powered batteries and audio systems.
State Community Unity, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Md Anizam Ab Rahman said the move was aimed at further boosting the trishaw industry in Kelantan.
"As the pilot project, we will apply the technology to 10 trishaws first and will extend this to other trishaws in stages.
"We hope with this hybrid trishaw initiative will save time and human energy and at the same time, attract more visitors to the state," he added.
Speaking to reporters at the introduction of the solar-powered battery trishaw called "Teck-C" here today, Anizam said the hybrid trishaws would operate at tourist attraction areas.
"Once it is introduced next year, we will place the trishaws at tourist destination areas such as Kampung Laut Herritage Village.
"The state government hopes the new technology will make it easy for the riders as it does not require the use of pedals like a traditional trishaw.
"We also hope the move will boost their (trishaw riders') income as the majority of them have been relying on this job completely for a living," he added.
During the function, Anizam also handed over RM600 each to of the 17 trishaw riders registered under the Kelantan Tourist Information Centre.