Time to end this ridiculously wasteful and expensive experiment.

Andy McDougall, Hitchin

It is crucial for a fairer society and to make the public infrastructure work better.

Louise Tippett, Walton-on-Thames

Our rail system is embarrassing, especially when compared to other state-owned European systems.

Richenda Herzig, Ely

Bring back BR, far better than the current inefficient, expensive, profit-focused private shambles.

Colin Noble, Leeds

Privatisation was a code-word for confiscation of a national asset. I’m not sure I like “nationalisation” – could we substitute “common ownership”?

Gina Bridgeland, Brighouse

It will cost more next year to travel by train from Sheffield to Exeter to visit my girlfriend, than it does at the moment for me to fly home from Germany. Ridiculous.

Peter Temple, Derby

Why are we playing subsidies to companies when we can run a train company at a profit for the country ourselves?

R B, Huddersfield

Abellio are ruining my life.

Stuart Dean, Ingatestone

Fares are spiralling out of control and services get less and less reliable. The case for re-nationalising is unanswerable.

Thomas Urry, Bristol

This would bring the country back together in a real way.

Jodie Payne, Pontefract

Privatisation means fragmentation and the loss of co-ordination and accountability. It also means a profit take from every part of the service leading to higher costs.

A Mathur, Wirksworth

It’s too expensive to travel on trains anymore. We need it back in the public hands.

Marie Hitchen, Walsall

Service before profit, not vice versa.

Kevin Mallam, Middlesbrough

Brava Bravo.

Rose Frain, Edinburgh

I’m fed up with subsidising the hard-wired profits of vile sociopaths like Branson.

Douglas Badenoch, Edinburgh

In Italy. 9 euros gives me 5 hours of clean, modern, punctual rail travel. It is essential that we give people an affordable alternative to car travel to save the planet.

Lindsey March, Kings Langley

Privatisation can only work within the context of customer choice. Rail companies are not forced to improve performance or value, because they monopolise the railway infrastructure in the UK.

Peter Kasim, London

The British rail system must now be the shoddiest in Europe, and the most expensive. Of course it’s largely in national ownership – it’s just not our nation that owns it.

Aidan Semmens, Woodbridge

Public rail transport isn’t working. It’s no longer a reliable way of getting to where you need to be on time. In the north of Scotland people are returning to their cars.

Alan Roberts, Dingwall

Give us back our overpriced rail network.

Lee Roberts, Dartmouth

If there’s more than one travelling it’s cheaper by car.

Polly Thomas, Sheerness

East Coast shows that railways can be publicly run – effectively and at a profit without lining the pockets of shareholders.

Roger Adams, Melton Mowbray

I will learn to drive I think. It’s much cheaper.

Fharat Rehman

I believe the trains should be in public hands.

Crawford Gillies, Troon

Re-nationalise it for the people, put the profits back into paying decent wages and re-generation of the system, not lining the fat cats’ pockets.

Kim Saunders, Southend-on-Sea

So long as steam-hauled charter trains are still allowed on the mainline.

Michael Hedderly, Colyton

Rebalancing is desperately needed. Let’s start with our railway system.

Mark Flack, Holyhead

I am more than sick of this madly priced rail system. I travel in Europe by train often and the fares are reasonable.

Jason Kalidas, London

Southern Rail are hopeless, useless and a total disgrace. They charge the highest fares in Europe yet providing the most awful and unreliable service.

Ruth Sanchez, Brighton

Nationalised public transport works well in lots of other countries.

Stephen Gidley, Haslingden