People not profit.

Neil Sanderson, Oswestry

This is an idea whose time has come.

Alan Marsden, Penrith

Stop wasting money subsidising shareholders and give it to the people.

Peter Newson, Broxbourne

Transportation systems should be run democratically in the interests of workers and the environment, not profit and private property.

Alex Blenkhorn, Stockport

As well as the high fares and fragmented network, it is the sheer inefficiency and cost of privatisation that annoys me.

David Sterratt

First help stop HS2 by pushing the cheaper alternatives for a high-speed network, regional connectivity and GB Freight. This would be supported by voters and passengers.

John Miles Palmer, Stoke-on-Trent

For crying out loud, someone sort this country’s rail network out. We’re way behind Europe. It’s embarrassing.

Derek Haggar, Lewes

It will be brilliant for us train spotters and I can describe the fail of nationalisation in 2 words – Virgin Trains.

Ruben Osborne, Bath

It is my opinion that the railway system (BR) was stolen from the nation by the government of the day, much the same as the Royal Mail more recently.

Mark Horseman, Billingham

The railways were supposed to be privatised, so why as a taxpayer are my taxes still going to the railways while bosses are raking in huge profits?

Edmond Bourke, Basildon

I have to use the train to get to and from work. They have used every excuse they can come up with.

Helen Cullivan, Hutton Brentwood

Transport, like the utility services, are the lifeblood of the country. Infrastructure is not like having to choose between a white loaf or a brown loaf.

Jim Williams, Kirkby-in-Ashfield

Train travel is completely extortionate and, without a centralised rail system, there is no accountability for train fares. The situation is completely ridiculous.

Ruth Gordon, Bristol

With operators like London Midland and Greater Anglia this is argument enough for nationalisation.

George Smith, Hemel Hempstead

Travelling by train is expensive and often difficult to arrange. Bring back British Rail.

Marguerite Hegley, Lancaster

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

If public ownership works and makes a profit on East Coast line, why not have the lot in public ownership?

Michael Morgan, Cinderford

Railways have to be public, because they are a public service. No private profit to be made, but save and widespread transportation.

Domenico Bevilacqua, Chatham

I nominate Richard Branson as the Headman.

John Hyde, Basingstoke

I travelled from Newcastle to Edinburgh in August, an annual trip to the Fringe. Virgin took over from East Coast trains. Fares doubled service appalling.

Margaret Woodward, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

I know a few of us re-nationalisers round here. Could we hold a meeting or action?

Julian Wilson, Tonbridge

Many of the lines removed by Beeching would now be profitable given subsequent economic development.

Talat Chaudhri, Aberystwyth

It’s too bloody expensive to buy a train ticket.

Francis Dalton, Bracknell

The public are sheep drowning in apathy. They have no idea the NHS is being sold off piece by piece under our noses. But I support and inform wherever I can.

Paul Harrison, Manchester

What we need now is a return of British Rail, in whatever form it may take, to get everything back under one roof.

Brian Racher

It is time that breaking up the national rail system be seen to have been the costly mistake it has become.

Lynn Robertson, Reigate

I have stopped using the railways. It’s just too stressing an experience at all stages from booking to travelling.

Stephen Barstow, Malvik, Norway

Stop the fares rip-off.

Jason Leyton, London

My friend once again on the way back from London to Penzance found she had to change to a bus in Exeter.

Brian Charlton, Penzance

Make the service a proper one for passengers and not just for shareholders. Also, please never call us customers.

Emma Anthony, Oxford