In the past local trains would have waited until the arrival of late-running main line trains, but they don’t in the era of a privatised system.

Alastair Lings, Galashiels

All infrastructure should be owned and managed by the state for the benefit of all the people, not just shareholders.

Anne Fraenkel, London

The franchising fiasco has shown conclusively how privatisation fails the public. The rail network is a national asset and should therefore be run nationally.

Alexander Scott, Ardrossan

Private services do not work. Services should be government run as public services, not for private profit.

Aidan Shabaily, Liverpool

We need to realise how far behind other western countries we are with this service.

Emma Yexley, Hertford

Southern Rail must be brought to account for the shameful service they provide. I’m sure an international franchise would do a better job.

Martin Parker, Lancing

The current rail network is now 30% less efficient than publicly controlled European peers and three times more expensive.

David Mcintosh

There would be less of a north/south divide if people could afford to visit other areas in the UK. It will benefit all communities across the nation.

Joseph Till, London

Bring it back and get the right people to run it.

Mike James, Pontypridd

Robbed from the people by Conservatives.

Angela Hathaway, Stroud

What’s happened to British Rail – it used to be cheaper, easier and happier to let the train take the strain.

Amber Smithwhite, Paignton

This will astound you, but I am a Tory supporter signing this petition. Do not write my party off; some of us see sense too.

Nick Harris, Newbury

My interest in this is a personal one. I was brought up in a railway cottage in Wolverton. My Dad was a brass fitter and worked there man and boy. It should belong to the people.

Pete Sapwell, Dewsbury

What does ‘peak time’ even mean? So I have to pay more, but it’s highly likely I might not even get on my train, let alone get a sea. It should be the complete opposite.

Mike Hellyer, London

The prices of rail travel in this country are disgusting and something has to be done about it. Cheaper rail prices would mean fewer people driving cars which means a greener country.

James Hobbs, Bristol

Fair price for fares. No stockbroker style ticket buying. Stick to advertised prices, no unannounced hourly changes to ruin student travel budgeting.

Jane Skyrme, Hereford

We need an integrated rail service which offers affordable travel to reduce pollution and congestion on our roads.

Pauline Wickham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Government subsidies should be used to update infrastructure and not to line shareholders’ pockets. Also, keep it British.

Sue Revell, Bath

Services before profit required.

William Armstrong, London

The East Coast line has been amazing since it went back into public ownership. Why change something that is working so well.

Jane Geraghty, Newark

Bring back a modernised high-speed network and a unified BR, get rid of Network Rail and micro government interference.

Peter Boggett, Cardiff

Bring back joined-up railways and joined-up thinking on public transport.

Janet Forsyth, Edinburgh

Our transport system is too important to be left in the hands of numerous disparate companies whose only loyalty is to their shareholders.

Gordon Anderson, Aberdeen

The whole train service is overpriced and useless. I’m really glad I don’t need to use the trains every day but others need to get to and from work without all this disruption.

Karan Capon-Richards, Rochester

Currently there is no competition. I cannot choose which company I use to provide my rail service, so how has privatisation improved customer service?

Richard Green, Newton Abbot

Track, facilities, rolling stock and staff should be managed regionally, with overall direction from the centre.

Geoffrey Crouch, Cranbrook

Undo Thatcherism and bring back all the services she and Major robbed from the public sector.

John Hanbury, Manchester

I totally agree with the railways being returned to the public sector. I find it amazing that we are paying the private sector public money to run our railways.

Ron McLean, Moffat

The present railway system is an grossly over-charged and poorly staffed system that only puts profits before people. Re-nationalisation now.

Kevin O’Connor, London

Bring it back as soon as possible.

Adam Lewins, Doncaster