The last trishaw repairman has been in the business for over 60 years
He has been repairing bicycles and trishaws for over 60 years and refuses to stop
While many are retired by 76, this man's love for fixing trishaws keeps him going.
Mr Lee Kheng Hua is the owner of the last local trishaw repair shop in Singapore, Hock Trishaw Trading, located at 729, Geylang Road.
As he put his pliers down and wiped the grease off his hands, Mr Lee said in Hokkien, with a chuckle: "I'd rather hold my repair tools than a walking stick."
He has had an interest in bicycles and trishaws since he was a teenager.
Back then, he would go to repair shops after school to hone his repair skills.
At the time, his father ran Hock Trishaw Trading as a trishaw rental company and he discouraged his son from the repair work.
His father decided to employ him only after he realised how much his son loved repairing bicycles and trishaws.
Mr Lee has now been in the industry for more than 60 years. Despite his age, he refuses to stop.
These days, the bulk of his customers go to him for bicycle repairs.
Those who go to him for trishaw-related services usually want to rent trishaws for company functions, performances and even film productions.
Mr Lee owns four trishaws and each of them costs more than $3,000.
Miss Selina Park, 28, a return customer, was there to get her electronic bicycle fixed.
"I live around the Geylang area and so far, Mr Lee is the most reliable.
"The price is also the most reasonable," said Miss Park, who works in the information technology industry.
LITTLE PROFIT
Mr Lee earns about $200 a day, working from 4pm to around 8pm on weekdays.
But there is little profit to be made as he has to cover the cost of the spare parts and the rental of the shop space.
Mr Lee said: "Everyone who used to do trishaws is dead."
He added that there will not be anyone to take over his shop as all his children are university graduates who prefer working other jobs.
"My children would tell me to stop working, but I simply can't because I love it," he said.
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