HATE crime and public transport problems have been addressed at special events held by disability group People First Keighley and Craven.

The group, run by people with learning disabilities, presented the results of its survey into train, bus and taxi travel.

Spokesman George Riley said the well-attended meeting included representatives from Transdev, First Bus and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, who answered questions from those present.

He said: “People First had collected positive and negative feedback from their members and the community, and they presented their findings to the audience.

“Many of our members feel it is unfair for their Travel Passes to only work after 9.30am. Many people need to begin work or attend medical appointments earlier than that, and as our members often hold low-paid positions, we believe a change should be made.

“We appreciate that the local authority has to pay the travel companies for passengers using the travel passes, but People First intend to make this the focus of a fresh campaign to get this changed.”

Mr Riley said members appreciated the organisations’ work in making public transport inclusive for all.

People First and Bradford & District Disabled People’s Forum, who jointly organised the event, gave the first Transport Equality Achievement Award – an engraved teapot – to the Travel Training team at Bradford Council for their tireless work.

People First also held an event to mark National Hate Crime Awareness Week, entitled Stamping Out Hate Crime.

Mr Riley said: “People First KC is a Hate Crime Reporting Centre and we were very pleased with the attendance.

“We watched Annie’s Story about hate crime and public transport. Two of our members read their personal hate crime stories and Rachel Snowdon performed her poem, written especially for Hate Crime Awareness Week.”