A KEIGHLEY disability group is going national with its campaign against taxi overcharging.

People First is calling on well-known charities to support its fight to stop taxi firms slapping higher fares on wheelchair users.

It will ask organisations such as Scope and Age UK to encourage their own members and users to sign a petition against the practice.

The decision follows a rally organised last month by People First to promote the petition across Bradford district.

People First Keighley and Craven, which is run by adults with learning disabilities, has already attracted 1,000 signatures from local people.

The petition calls for the Government and local authorities to enforce section 165 of the Equality Act, which it believes will force taxi companies to charge everyone the same price for identical journeys.

Taxi firms claim the higher charges cover the extra costs of operating larger vehicles, and additional time taken by drivers to help wheelchair users get in and out.

Omar Sardar, People First’s campaigns development worker, said: “We believe we’ve got about 1,000 signatures so far on paper or online, but want to take the petition to Parliament.”

People First launched its ‘transport equality’ campaign in 2012 after several members reported what appeared to be higher fares when they were travelling.

The campaign was spearheaded People First member Tom Walsh, from Keighley, who uses a wheelchair and regularly faced higher fares.