Transportation: Melaka Trishaws

Trishaw also known as tricycle rickshaw or pedicab, is undeniably one of the unique attractions in Melaka. Most of the tourists will be amazed on the efforts of decoration put on the trishaws in Melaka rather than other states in Malaysia. The decorated trishaws were one of the identity or icons of Melaka.

In olden days, before the rolling of industrialization age in Malaysia, trishaw was used as one of the main public transportation modes by residents in Melaka. Due to the modernization of lifestyle and popularization of other efficient transportation alternatives, trishaw has eventually been phased out from daily life of local residents.

However, fortunately, Melaka is one of the only state in Malaysia especially known for its heritage attractions; this has created another alternative of career opportunity for the trishaw drivers, to focus their service target on tourists.

Most if not all, of the trishaws in Melaka are mounted with the seat cabin side-by-side. Examples of place where you can easily find trishaw services available for hiring are The Stadthuys or Dutch Square, Porta de Santiago, and Equatorial Hotel Melaka.

The trishaws which are mainly serving tourism services are all very well and creatively decorated. In addition to artificial flowers arrangement, most of the trishaws are also equipped with an audio player to play popular songs or music at the passengers mother tongue. 

Not surprising, if you hear the Hokkien song playing for Taiwanese passengers. Besides, there are also seen some trishaws equipped with a small fan to ease the heat on scorching day.

In Malaysia, there are only 2 states known with trishaws aimed as tourism service which are Penang and Melaka. However, the trishaws in Melaka are still crowned as the best looking in the region. Sitting on Melaka trishaw for sightseeing tour is definitely a good experience.

Due to the mushrooming tourism value of trishaw services in Melaka, some of the irresponsible drivers have abused the opportunity to charge at irregular rate on tourists. Due to a number of complaints received, the Majlis Bandaraya Melaka Bersejarah (MBMB) or municipal council has taken some measures to regulate the trishaw services in Melaka.

At The Stadthuys, notices on the regulated or standard trishaw hiring rate are visibly seen. On your next visit to Melaka, take a note that the maximum trishaw service rate is fixed at RM40 per hour. Yes, it is regulated to be changed per hour, and never compensate beyond the maximum rate of RM40.

Transportation: Bullock Cart

There were no motor vehicles then and people used bullock carts for travel and to transport goods. Bullock carts were one of the earliest forms of transportation in the country. The driver and passengers sat in the front section of the two-wheeled vehicle and goods were placed in the back. Traditionally used to transport bulk quantities of agricultural products like padi and straw, bullock carts were also used for garbage collection in major towns before World War Two.

But it was no ride in the park. The cart driver was often at the mercy of the stubborn animals. When they were overworked, no amount of persuasion could make them continue the journey. More often than not, the driver had no choice but to wait patiently until the beasts were ready to move again.

This ancient mode of transport is still in use today in places where modern vehicles are considered to be too expensive or when the terrain is too rugged. Closer to home, tourists in Melaka can still go for a ride in a gaily-decorated traditional bullock cart (kereta lembu).

Bullock carts were said to have been introduced by Indian traders during the Melaka Sultanate. Some even sported a woven attap roof to protect against the elements.

Firewood was the main source of fuel for cooking in the early 20th Century as electric and gas stoves had yet to be introduced.

A bullock cart ride is one thing that a visitor to Melaka must not miss out on as it provides an exhilarating experience to both young and old alike.

The bullock cart, which at one time was the main mode of transportation for the rich in Melaka, is unlike those found elsewhere. The carts are beautifully decorated, with bright colours and trappings and has the shape of a pointed roof, similar to the horn of a bull.

The bullock cart ride area in Ayer Keroh, directly in front of the Orang Asli Museum, virtually comes alive with eager visitors on weekends and holidays.

Although the ride covers only a short distance in the surrounding areas, it nevertheless is an experience not to be missed by all.

Transportation: Melaka Tram

Melaka Tram adalah merupakan sejenis pengangkutan baru yang diperkenalkan oleh Kerajaan Negeri Melaka. Dijangka mula beroperasi Mei tahun hadapan, Melaka Tram mampu menarik lebih ramai pelancong dan menjadi satu lagi tarikan terbaru di negeri ini. Berikut merupakan artikel mengenai Melaka Tram yang dipetik daripada Berita Harian Online:-

Melaka Tram beroperasi Mei tahun depan

2011/02/19

AYER KEROH: Pengeluar tren, Mrails International Sdn Bhd, mengunjurkan projek Melaka Tram bernilai RM272 juta, trem pertama yang menggunakan gas asli (NGV) di dunia, akan dibuka kepada orang ramai Mei tahun depan.

Presiden dan Pengarah Urusannya, Datuk Jeya Kumar, berkata aplikasi dan pelaksanaan "Trem Generasi Akan Datang" mesra alam itu, akan merevolusikan industri lokomotif.

"Kami akan menggunakan teknologi ini untuk mengekalkan budaya dan warisan, tanpa menjejaskan alam sekitar, sebagai mematuhi status Melaka sebagai Tapak Warisan Dunia UNESCO," katanya pada taklimat media di sini hari ini.

Kumar berkata, trem itu akan menggantikan sistem "pantograph" tradisional agar seiring dengan perkembangan semasa, serta selari dengan Konvensyen Kerangka Kerja Pertubuhan Bangsa Bersatu Mengenai Perubahan Iklim, dalam menangani pemanasan global.

"Ini juga menetapi wawasan kami untuk mengambil bahagian dalam pertumbuhan Melaka sebagai pusat destinasi hebat untuk pelancong, dan membuktikan komitmen kami untuk mewujudkan sistem pengangkutan mampan," katanya.

Majlis pecah tanah projek itu dilakukan oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Turut hadir, ialah Ketua Menteri Melaka, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, dan Menteri Besar Terengganu, Datuk Seri Ahmad Said.

Melaka Tram dilaksanakan hasil perjanjian antara Ketua Menteri Diperbadankan (CMI) dan Mrails pada Mac tahun lalu.

Menerusi perjanjian itu, syarikat bersetuju untuk mereka bentuk, membina, mengurus dan menyelenggara serta memantau operasi landasan dan "tramcar" selama 25 tahun, selain membiayai kos projek yang bernilai RM272 juta.

Syarikat itu juga dipertanggungjawabkan untuk mengurus kutipan tiket selama 25 tahun, dengan CMI memperoleh 20 peratus daripada hasil kutipan itu.

Kumar berkata, Koridor Melaka Tram akan dimulakan dari depot bersebelahan Plaza Tol Ayer Keroh ke bandar warisan Melaka, meliputi jarak 40 kilometer, yang meliputi 11 daripada 14 kawasan tarikan pelancong.

"Kami akan bekerja rapat dengan rakan usaha sama kami, CNR Tangshan Railway Vehicles Co Ltd, pengeluar lokomotif China," katanya.

Trem ialah pengangkutan rel yang lebih ringan daripada kereta api dan berbeza daripada bentuk lokomotif lain memandangkan trek dibina di atas jalan raya.

Ia berupaya mengangkut 120 penumpang pada satu-satu masa, dan sesuai untuk golongan kurang upaya kerana reka bentuk paras buminya, selain beroperasi pada kelajuan 40 km/j.

Kumar berkata, Mrails yang mengunjurkan sekurang-kurangnya 40,000 pengguna sehari, akan memastikan tambangnya rendah iaitu RM2 dan percuma untuk golongan kurang upaya dan pelajar.

Untuk masa depan, syarikat itu merancang mengeksport tren ke bandar lain di Malaysia dan luar negara, seperti India dan Afrika, tahun depan. - BERNAMA

Transportation: Melaka Panorama Bus Schedule

Panorama Bus Schedule (Jadual Perjalanan Bas Panorama Melaka) that start from Melaka Sentral bus terminal. 


The bus numbers are: 
MBL1414, WEK2798, WEK1361, WEH6423,WEM6541.


First Trip: 7.20am, 9.00am, 10.30am, 12.00pm, 1.40pm, 3.00pm, 4.30pm, 6.10pm, 7.30pm


Second Trip: 7.50am, 9.20am, 10.50am, 12.20pm, 2.00pm, 3.30pm, 4.50pm, 6.30pm, 8.00pm



Third Trip: 8.10am, 9.40am, 11.10am, 12.40pm, 2.20pm, 3.50pm, 5.20pm, 6.50pm, 8.20pm


Fourth Trip: 8.30am, 10.00am, 11.30am, 1.10pm, 2.40pm, 4.10pm,  5.40pm, 7.10pm, 

The roure for single decker (blue line route) are:

1) Melaka Sentral
2) Hang Tuah Walk
3) Jonker Walk
4) Masjid Kampung Hulu
5) Stadhuys
6) Muzium Samudera
7) Dataran Pahlawan
8) Hotel Equatorial
9) Bukit Senjuang
10) Kampung Portugis
11) Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho
12) Perigi Hang Li Po
13) Kampung Morten
14) Maktab Perguruan Perempuan Melayu Melaka
15) Bukit Cina
16) Bukit Serindit
17) Bukit Piatu
18) Perpustakaan Negeri
19) Masjid Al Azim
20) Hospital Besar
21) Pasaraya Giant
22) Melaka Sentral


For the Double Decker Panorama Bus Schedule, it start from Menara Taming Sari. Schedule are below:


Panorama Bus Schedule (Double Decker) - Roofed
10.00am,  10.45am, 11.30am, 12.15pm, 1.00pm, 1.45pm, 2.30pm, 3.15pm, 4.00pm


Panorama Bus Schedule (Double Decker) - Roofless
5.00pm, 5.30pm, 6.00pm, 6.30pm, 7.00pm, 7.30pm, 8.00pm, 8.30pm, 9.00pm

Route for the Panorama Double Decker Bus (red line route) are:

1) Menara Taming Sari
2) Dataran Pahlawan
3) Hotel Equatorial
4) Bukit Senjuang (St John Fort)
5) Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho
6) Perigi Hang Tuah
7) Kampung Morten
8) Hotel Renaissance
9) Hang Tuah Mall
10) Jonker Walk
11) Masjid Kampung Hulu
12) Stadthuys
13) Samudera Musueum

The fare for double decker buses are RM5.00 for Adult and RM2.50 for Children. For normal Panorama Bus, the fare is RM2.00 for Adult and RM1.00 for Children. All fares are a day ticket and children below 6 years old, is free.

The schedule are accurate in Februari in February 2010. For details additional route for new buses and fares please contact:

PM Cultural & Tourism Sdn. Bhd.
Lot 39, Zon D, Bangunan Terminal Melaka Sentral,
Jalan Tun Abdul Razak,
75300 Peringgit Melaka.

Tel:062882525
Fax:062824745

Transportation: Panorama Melaka

Melaka “Tourist Bus“ service known as “Panorama Melaka“ provides a cheaper and leisure way to explore Melaka. These buses stop at 23 famous attraction places ranging from historical sites to shopping complexes and leisure areas.

Moreover, with the concept of hop on or off on a daily flat rate, the Panorama Melaka bus service is simply an attractive choice! You could hop off the bus as you please (at designated bus stop). Take your own leisure time to visit the area. Later you could simply hop on the next bus to the next destination.

he buses come in single-decker (Blue Line) & double-decker (Red Line). Both buses cater for slightly different routes. Interested to have a clear and airy view of the city? Hop on to several “Open Tops” Panorama Buses.

Red Line is the route for double-decker Panorama buses. It stops at 13 interesting places all within the city center.

Blue Line is the route for single-decker buses. It stops at 23 interesting stops within the city centre and outskirts of Melaka City. Interesting outskirt stops will bePortuguese Settlement, Bukit China, Melaka Sentral & Masjid Al-Azim (the state mosque for Melaka State).

The departure time for these tourist buses from Hang Tuah Mall is at 7.00 a.m for the Blue Line and 9.00a.m for the Red Line. Both lines are within 30 to 45 minutes frequency.

With so many interesting places to explore and things to buy, it’s easy to lose track of time. If you do not want to pay additional transportation fare, kindly please take note that the last pick up round trip for the buses will be between 9.30 p.m to 10.00 p.m depending on your stop. After 10.00p.m, you have to find your own way back!

It’s advisable to purchase tickets for the red line as you could hop in and out on single and double-decker buses for the day. If you purchase the blue line tickets, you could only hop in and out the same line!

If you happened to stay either at Renaissance Hotel, Orkid Hotel or City Bayview Hotel, there’s a bus stop nearby. The exact stop is at No.13 located in front of Hotel Orkid.

Where to buy the tickets? Just purchase the tickets on board any Panorama Bus.

The fare will be RM5.00 for adult and RM2.50 children for the red line while the blue line will cost RM2.00 and RM1.00 respectively.