British Rail can operate efficiently and as a profitable business under public ownership, for the benefit of the nation. It just needs the right people in charge.

Nigel Holmes, Hull

Our fares are so much higher than everyone else’s in Europe. Canterbury – Swansea is £90. It’s time for change!

Daniel Bourn, Canterbury

All the rail network should be nationalised.

Daphne Hayden, Whitley Bay

Public services should be publicly run. The clue is in the name.

Alec Rivers, Folkestone

I cannot believe other countries can deliver a good rail service and we cannot, but we readily tolerate appalling service as a matter of course in the UK.

June Diamanti, Tyne and Wear

Rail fares are much too high. I can’t afford the exorbitant prices the franchises charge so have to use the car.

Ivor Seymour, Sunbury-on-Thames

Yes. Privatising was a big expensive mistake.

David Kemball-Cook, St. Albans

Bring back British Railways. Everyone is being ripped off over rail fares today.

Mathew Smith, Kidderminster

20 years of poor service, extortionate fares and lame excuses. It’s time for re-nationalisation.

Martin Bailey, York

Private companies are out of control. We need to be brought back under public ownership.

Roy Key, Stockton-on-Tees

My commute daily costs me £20 and it takes me only 14 minutes.

Liam McCombe, Barnsley

Bring back publicly-owned railway, to show these companies how to run it.

Jason Lodge, Hove

I look for joined-up thinking on the railways where trains with enough seats for all can be achieved once more. With privatisation there’s no incentive.

Arthur Bostrom, Manchester

Bring back a cheaper, cleaner and more reliable service.

Giles Hannaford, Shrewsbury

Privatisation just hasn’t worked. Fares are too high, ticketing too complicated, services inadequate. Please bring British Rail back.

Christopher Gunning, Rickmansworth

I have just travelled on a very overcrowded train from Leeds to Manchester with 3 coaches instead of the booked 6.

Peter Pilbeam, Stockport

I’m not from the UK. In fact, I’ve never visited. Nonetheless, I possess great respect for the BR system of old. Bring back British Rail, bring back the age of the train.

Tamir Somerville, Vancouver

Rail transport should be counted as a social service.

William Harris, Manchester

Rail travel was and is far more efficient and economical when nationalised. Bring back British Rail.

S Nightingale, Nottingham

The sooner the better.

Chris Henwood, Brighton

It goes from bad to worse. God help those that have to travel to work every day. It’s expensive and useless.

Patricia Notcutt, London

I pledge to add my weight to the fight to put our national rail service back into the hands of people not business.

Craig Armstrong, Warrington

Necessary services should not be operated for profit.

Janki Tiwari, West Drayton

Railways and utilities for people.

Guy Harris, Saltash

The prices are far too high, with private companies only interested in profit for the shareholders.

Derek Chapman, Frome

Nothing else makes sense.

Christopher Madeley, Abergavenny

Joined-up thinking? How about joined-up railway system?

Gyan Tyagi, Sheffield

I use the Northern Rail Huddersfield to Manchester Victoria line. It has an appalling punctuality record, and customer service leaves me frustrated.

Mark Leech, Mossley