We are all totally sick of being ripped off and feel that the only way forward is to re-nationalise the rail network.

Nounette Noble, Bradford

They should never have been sold off.

Thomas Peter Turton, Manchester

If we bring back British Rail we can increase our freight and trade in Britain.

Ewan Green

If the private sector wants it, it’s because it makes them money, and know the government will bail them out if it loses. The state should make the profit if it takes the risk.

Lorraine Winson, Chesterfield

No compensation to shareholders. After all, they got the shares at a knock-down price.

David Robinson, Sheffield

The railway needs be back as one.

Joanna Heap, Derby

I was a railwayman 1952 to 1993 and know that, with good management, a nationalised rail network can succeed.

David Bolton, Clacton on Sea

Bring back British Rail.

Ria Hartley, Bristol

Our railways should be run by Britain and not foreign companies. Prices have soared whilst the service has remained diabolical, Bring back British Rail.

Kevin Hickson, South Shields

First are extortionate.

Dale Shanley, Bristol

Let’s do this and end the monopoly.

Jim Tait, Edinburgh

Railways are now used as a cash cow for profiteering. We the people bought and built British Rail only for it to be sold off for profit is an outrage.

John Paine, Dover

It’s disgraceful that when the government does get hold of a franchise – i.e. East Coast, they can’t wait to float it despite making a profit on it.

Gordon McMillan, Huntingdon

National websites are poor with people going to the Trainline and paying booking fees happily when the website shouldn’t exist in the first place.

Steven Hughes, Leeds

Absolute Economic Sense

Jacob Tong, London

No system will ever be perfect but I’d choose not-for-profit publicly-owned services over privately-owned ones every time.

Robert Middleton, Shrewsbury

The current system isn’t working.

Greg King, Guildford

Compared to other countries our current situation is ludicrous. The railway should be for the benefit of the people not for the benefit of the corporations.

Sarah Macdonald, Melbourne

BR was excellent.

Ethan Lee, Fife

Arriva Trains Wales is an absolute joke.

Benedict Woodward, Abergavenny

Directly owned East Coast railways is proving the best of our railway companies. Let’s follow that great example.

John Oliver, Bournemouth

it was run better when it was BR.

Padda Brewster, Wolverhampton

The present system is overpriced and overcomplicated. Why should taxpayers’ money be going to Richard Branson?

James Lynch, Allerton

Services are deteriorating rapidly. Stops on Newcastle to Kings Cross have reduced, therefore taking longer to reach destinations, e.g. Letchworth and Stevenage.

Margaret Campbell, Whitley Bay

Everywhere I travel in Europe by train they’re cheaper and much more efficient.

Robert Canning, Glasgow

Unacceptable service at continually greater unacceptable prices. Please bring back British Rail.

Vikesh Mistry, London

Your site says it all really. BR was much, much better than this shambles, where they make huge profits from a woeful service.

Brian Simmons, London

One should not make profit out of public transport.

Stephen Rollason, Exmouth

Certain things should not be de-nationalised and BR was definitely one. The East Coast line has been in public hands for a while now and it’s bloody great.

Gloria Percy, Durham

This is supposed to be a public transport system and not the government’s and their fat cat friends’ profiteering play thing.

Peter Vahl, Sutton