Patricia Gore, LeedsThe truth is that the taxpayer still subsidises the railways to a huge amount. It is only privatised in the sense that the profits go to shareholders, not the taxpayer.
Roslynn Turner, Londonthis was funded for the people by the people it should never have been a profit making private concern, which most people cannot afford.
Andrew Green, ManchesterThe cost of train travel is disgusting, especially compared to Germany and France. I only use it for rare long trips.
Christine & Vic Taylor, NottinghamBring back BR, and just manage it properly – you don’t need private firms for that.
Rosalind Readhead, LondonA transport system that works democratically for the whole of the UK should not be in the hands of profiteers.
Ian Wilson, DarlingtonRailways and utilities should be owned by the taxpayers rather than exploited by investors both here and abroad. How can it be right that vital assets are owned privately?
Owen HockeyJust look at the East Coast line, publicly run and puts money into the Treasury. The West Coast line, privately run, takes money out of the Treasury.
R SutherlandPublic money goes to Train Operating Companies as subsidies and shareholders’ dividends vanish offshore. How is the current set-up not out and out illegal?
Daniel Wellbeloved, LondonGreat idea. Bring back BR.
Kyle Perkins, TotnesAs a person who frequents public transport for personal and business reasons, I’m appalled at the high prices, bad conditions and shoddy policies.
Paul Bowen, LondonThe railway is ours and we want it back.
Chris Jefferson, NottinghamIt’s time to end the current railway madness.
Daisy Green, BidefordOutrageous is the lack of a national rail service in this country. It was better when we had one.
Lynda Bowen, TealbyI’m deeply saddened that East Coast has disappeared – such a regressive step.
Steve Blades, Newcastle-upon-TyneRailways are a vital part of a country’s infrastructure. The state-run East Coast service has been highly successful. The railways should be run for the people.
Dean Williams, StevenageI support a unified, nationalised rail network for the UK, run as a public service, not for private shareholder profit.
Christopher Lance, LeedsEast Coast mainline provides an excellent service as a publicly owned company. Don’t flog off this franchise to some commercial outfit.
Lerone Rose, PeterboroughIf it’s not broke don’t try and fix it. The government should never have privatised the railways. Bring back the slam door train too.
James Ross, AddinghamGet the rail network back on track.
AngusRailways should be run for the benefit of the passengers and not the operators.
Yvonne Jones, CwmbranTrain fares should be affordable for all, not just the elite who usually have their tickets paid by the taxpayer anyway.
Vi Dunning, Thornton-CleveleysIt’s disgusting greed, charging ever higher prices for a sub-standard service.
Hannah Sawtell, NottinghamI am very upset by today’s news about the East and West Coast mainlines. Yet another example of business and greed being more important than the needs of the nation.
Timothy Laurence, ReadingCustomers are fed up with escalating fares, poor reliability, awful services and not enough carriages. British trains, built in Britain for the British people.
Bobby Webb, ManchesterDo it for the good of the people, not for private profit.
Julia Callow, BournemouthPrivatisation was supposed to be value for money. It isn’t. It is a failed experiment and it’s time we ended it.
Michael Wynne, HoveFor a saner, more integrated rail system, bring back British Rail.
Margaret Kerr, WirralTake back our railways. They’re ours…
Gail Richard, BracknellUsing trains often lets my wheelchair-user husband down, with rudeness from staff and lack of space. The expense of using trains cannot compete with using a car.
Chris Brettell, RingwoodWe want our railway back. I was a former employee.