Unbelievable ticket prices, huge mark-up and terrible service. Privatisation was a bad, bad idea.

Vaibhav Khullar, London

I want a nationalised railway that uses public money to provide a service for the public – not to make profits for company shareholders.

Deborah McIlveen, Oxford

I am so angered by the blatant profiteering of the train operating companies and the obvious inefficiencies created by privatisation.

Henry Saville, Wallasey

The privatised, disjointed and dysfunctional railway is costing us billions. Just think how good BR could have been if all that money had been invested in it.

Robert Maidment-Wilson, Droitwich

British Rail should belong to the British people.

Karen Heaton, Stockton-on-Tees

And when we have re-nationalised the railways, next will be energy and power.

Dennis Hunter, London

I frequently travel on trains in the Southwest, including the Tarka line. Much needed, much used, but poorly run by FGW.

Helena Jaeschke, Barnstaple

Private Profit – Ripping us all off.

James Gillespie, Edinburgh

Re-nationalize BR as soon as possible. I’m sick of ever-increasing ticket prices, whilst services get worse, together with the attitude of station staff.

Ashley Woosnam, Northampton

If we’re going to subsidise it anyway, I don’t want my taxes going into the pockets of shareholders.

Chris Bright, London

The railways are abysmal. If the railways were run for a good service and not profit more people would use them. And we’d help the environment.

Tom McGiveron, Lower Peover

BR was best.

Paul Simonite, Wick

My grandfather used to revel in taking me around the country on British Rail. It was classy, romantic and visionary, and with its unrivalled history.

Ryan Board, London

Bring back British Rail.

Clive Pinnock, Maryport

We have enough pigs with their snouts in the troughs. Keep this line for the people.

Eric Hill, Sheffield

My father was a BR employee for several years and was proud to work for them. Sadly he has passed on now but would be mortified at the greed and ineptitude of today

Peter Jameson, Wallsend

Leaves were never a problem for British Rail. It should never have been made a run-for-profit organisation.

Dee Hurlock

It is ridiculous that the rail subsidy is four times higher than in BR days when most of the train operating companies are foreign owned.

Sue Dockett, Wisbech

Thatcher’s scum children will one day be shown by the people of this country that we come before their all-engrossing profits, which only benefit them and not us.

Paul Hill, Colchester

A united, extensive, sustainable transport system, run by society for society!

Daniel Casey, Bristol

The public is paying for it so it ought to be owned by them.

Robert Head, Aylesbury

The rail network’s commitment to above inflation price rises proves privatisation has failed the people of Britain. It needs to end now.

Kester Park, York

The infrastructure is dilapidated.

Michael Katchelenga, Stanwell

Public service should be the watchword and not just making money. East Coast trains should be the re-nationalisation model.

Roy Robertson, Denny

We the taxpayers are already subsidising them. We should take them over and run the railways as a public service.

Paul Gatenby, Liverpool

Yes, I support re-nationalisation.

Robert Allender, Swansea

Other countries that have very successful and well-run railways are state-owned, so privatisation has not delivered efficiency, good value or good service.

Eileen Quilter Williams, Kettering

I’m a student studying in Bristol and I am rarely able to visit home because of extortionate prices, let alone travel.

Ruby James, Stoke-on-Trent

We need a publicly-owned railway system to stop private enterprise making a profit while the taxpayer subsidises them.

Kevin Bennett, Warrington

Increase after increase after increase and we are left with a sub-par service where only the rich owners benefit.

James Kirk, Birmingham