I am totally dissatisfied by the way that Northern Rail is run. “Couldn’t care less” seems to be their almost universal attitude at all levels.

Chris Youhill, Leeds

Run the railways for people – not for private profit.

Ian Macpherson, Egremont

The system was miles better under the old public British Rail. The franchise system in my opinion is just a shambles.

Barry Marshall, Sheffield

I’m sick of being ripped off by Tory fat cats.

Richard Merriman, Melton Mowbray

I love trains. Why oh why was such a lovely industry privatised and now used for profit only? Bring back British Rail.

A S, Glasgow

Bring back British Rail. The present set-up is a complicated mess.

Ann Milroy, London

One country, one rail network, one railway operating company.

Kevin Slade, Saltford

The railways should be run for the benefit of passengers, not shareholders. Only re-nationalisation will give priority to passengers.

Malcolm Paskins, Fareham

British Rail was far more cost-effective and fairer for commuters than the debacle of a system we have now.

Riz Husain, Harrow

Fares too high, no co-ordination with other railways and buses, too much money syphoned off to bosses and shareholders.

David Clemson, Halifax

It makes the most sense for the railways to be run by one organisation, however, the less involvement by the government the better. They just mess it up.

Ben Chivers, Bristol

Major’s railway rip-off was made in a hurry to provide his backers with juicy public assets before the Tories went into their Long Good Night. It’s time to take them back.

Michael Brackenbury, Ely

The monopoly the train companies have over the lines we have no choice but to use is disgraceful and should not be tolerated

Kyle Amps, Birmingham

Privatisation equates to the pilfering of public funds into private pockets; no brown envelopes required!

Martin Boyle, London

A nationalised rail network would be able to re-invest in its hardware rather than paying off shareholders.

Keren Gilfoyle-McGroarty, Nottingham

This is what we need to do, to make our railways beautiful again and the envy of the world.

Sharon Draper, Sudbury

Just some of many whys” for our cause: Branson’s Virgin: obscene fares; cramped carriages on second class; empty first-class carriages; and good but lowly paid staff.”

Michael Shea, London

Re-nationalise the railways.

Chris Cooper, Worcester

Cost of 4 weekly oyster cards zone 1-9 is £320+. My rent with all bills included is £470. Travel costs are a disgrace.

Nigel Filer, Watford

The current situation of private companies is chaotic and inefficient for customers and increasingly impoverishing for us and enriching for the shareholders.

Marilyn Tsiorvas, Sheffield

BR should never have been privatised. Being from a long line of railway employees, it’s a disgrace what we have lost and never recover. It breaks my heart.

Paul Kettle, Rochdale

The railways are too important to the infrastructure. Stop the rip-off fares. We want it to be fair.

Lynda Trickett, Huddersfield

The sorry saga of railway franchising was exemplified by Connex.

Frank Nicholas Adam

The current service on the East Coast line shows that a public service is better than the private one.

Paul Dunn, Portishead

We could even bring back the connecting service.

Peter Wilton, Maidenhead

Another failed endeavour where profit is put ahead of people. It’s totally unfit for purpose and should be run for the people who use it.

James Fyrth, Reading

I actually use the train more in Holland than the UK. It is terrible to think that the Dutch trains are so efficient because they are subsidised by their running UK trains.

Stuart Thomson, Glasgow

Improvement in rail services – more carriages, punctuality, cleaner / greener trains – is needed now. No more fare increases lining pockets of shareholders!

Janis Cairns, Manchester

Give back to Britain our heritage.

Dawn Appadoo, Rochester

The railways are an essential service for all, not a source of private profit.

Joel A Forster Jones, Bournemouth