I just watched Ellie Harrison report this story on RT Going Underground. She was very compelling so I decided to look her up online and join the petition.

Josine Griffiths, Nottingham

Time these sponging train operating companies were hung out to dry.

Martin Crimp, Southport

All power to your elbow.

Edith Hawley, Nottingham

Bring back British Rail and end the farce we are having to endure.

Susan Crawford, Harlow

It should be run for the benefit of the people, not for private profit.

John Corrigan, Bridge of Earn

Privatisation rarely works. Services best run centrally get broken up and become innately inefficient. Worse, the government tries to absolve itself of responsibility.

Anthony Vann, Holmfirth

Trains are the best.

Penny Jones, Pembrokeshire

I do not use railways any more. Why should single fares cost nearly as much as returns?

Helga Baggs, Old Buckenham

I want a railway that serves the public not its shareholders, with a fair, sensible and understandable ticketing system.

Mike Roberts, Faversham

Let those currently running the Great Northern line run the rest of the railways. They are doing a better job than the rest already.

Richard Painter, Waltham Cross

Re-nationalise BR.

James Clark, Glasgow

Privatisation has been shown to not work. Taxpayers are paying three times what they would if the railways were nationalised. Performance is down and fares are up.

Jacqueline Rattray, London

Rail and all transport should be a public service, publicly owned and controlled, not the profit making toy of the private sector.

Alan Martin, Liverpool

This idea needs as much support as possible.

Kathy Barnes, Durham

One island, one rail operator and a simple ticketing policy. Not a lot to ask for.

Lorenzo

We talked about this idea over beer years ago. I can’t believe it’s happening.

Henry Buckle, Acton

A modern unified rail service is essential for now and the future, both environmentally and socially.

Susan Pethybridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Bring it back.

Beth Neale, Warminster

The highest walk-on fares in the world and at least twice the subsidy British Rail used to get. Network Rail’s debt has now exceeded an eye-watering £30 billion!

Laurence Eccles, Birmingham

I’m honoured to sign.

Olivia Sykes, Huddersfield

If any of the main parties had the balls to sow up re-election this is all they’d have to do.

J T, Hove

Trains make a lot more sense at least for short to medium trips. Please.

Petra Mo, Auroville

We might end up with a service that is on time and actually runs, not one that is consistently late, packed all the time and with engineering works all the time.

David Harrison, Northampton

You are doing a fantastic job.

Christine Cudworth, Wakefield

I remember the days of British Rail and would like to see them return.

Gillian Anson, Letchworth

Trains should be available to the majority of people and wouldn’t it be wonderful for the country if British Rail were brought back. Train trips should not be a luxury item.

J Ward, Enfield

Let’s get back to a rail network that was the best in the world. Look at other countries as models for what we should be aiming for.

Simon Coulton, Bradford

It’s time to call a halt to the massive failings of the privatised rail network.

Alan Campbell, Balerno

The train companies are thieves, they steal from the young and thrive off the poverty of the country with an increase in demand – we need to put an end to this.

Jack Gouldbourne, Southampton

As franchises end, give to a reformed British Rail as was done with the N E line only to be undone by the Coalition.

Tony Mayer, Swindon