Edinburgh Private Hire Drivers Protest Road Conditions

0:00It's March 30th. This is Edinburgh News today, powered by AI. Private higher drivers in Edinburgh took to the Royal Mile this Monday for Rally under the Edinburgh United Private Higher Banner. They're protesting rough road conditions, unfair treatment from city leaders, and threats to their industry's long-term survival. Key gripe, over 3,000 private higher vehicles, share the streets with just 1,000 taxis, but they lack equal road access. Ralph White, a founder of the group, says officials treat drivers like a side hustle, squeezing out living amid rising challenges. Dynamic pricing from apps like Uber tanks fares, while driverless cars loom large, pulling money from drivers straight into automation tech. Drivers feel the pinch, hard customers cheer cheap rides, but operators pocket as little as 51% after commissions hitting 49% on some jobs. White warns this setup funds their own job wipeout, turning unity among drivers in to their best shot at change. The council pushes back, noting over 36 million pounds invested in roads since this administration

1:04kicked off, resurfacing more than 1 million square meters despite national budget crunches and 25,000 yearly road work notices. They're reviewing bus lanes after a November committee vote, sticking to buses first but pledging talks with private higher, taxis, and operators too. Smooth the network for everyone involved.