There are certain services that should be run on a not-for-profit basis because people rely on them, e.g. water, gas, electricity and transport.

Frank Smith, West Bromwich

Public ownership of the rail network makes economic sense.

Matt Irvine, Sheffield

Bring back loco-hauled trains. Reduce speeds for better comfort. No to HS2.

Paul O’Neill, London

My train fare is too expensive, the service is terrible and I rarely get a seat.

Toby Saunders, Farnborough

A natural monopoly which can and should be run so much better for everyone.

Stefan Puchowski, High Wycombe

Nationalise the railways and let us have affordable, efficient trains again.

Lois Bennett, Doncaster

The railways need to be run in a non-profit manner.

Sam Flinders, Didcot

I used to work for British Rail in Horwich, York and Crewe engineering works. I would love to see the railways nationalised again.

Richard Power, London

Private companies shouldn’t be profiting from public services.

Anne Lawrie, Wellingborough

I just cannot stand the sub-standard service of First Great Western any longer, not whilst they’re being subsidised by the taxpayer but being run for profit.

Adam Sardar, Oxford

East Coast shows what can be done but is hampered by not owning the track. Let’s get it all back under public ownership and have a properly co-ordinated system.

David Cottrell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

It’s nonsense that the railways should be run using the present model – it simply does not work. Re-nationalise now.

Jim West, Derby

Brava Bravo.

Rose Frain, Edinburgh

I used to work for BR at Reading, loved every minute of it then they privatised it and it lost its attraction.

Chris Uren, Bracknell

South East Trains is the most terribly formed transport company I have seen.

Jareth Turner, Margate

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

My late father worked for BR and Rail Track and always moaned about how bad things had got after the take over, about penny-pinching mend-and-make-do and poor management.

Leslie Holder, Reading

I want British Rail back.

Jack Smith, Totnes

I travel the rails a lot. East Coast mainline is by far the best in terms of service, ticket price, and customer care. It is owned by us and makes a surplus for us.

Hugh Butcher, Tadcaster

Privatisation was never going to succeed. It failed as a privatised industry when first created and it will fail again.

Robert Bergh, Ipswich

We are supporting the network with our taxes. Let’s get something back from our investment. Nationalise Now. Put the people back in charge.

Stephen Doggart, Dundee

I commute on Southeastern and they are useless.

Will Miller, London

Privatisation was an idea that has proven to be a mistake. It’s time this public service was put back to what it used to be.

Sion Ford, Cardiff

One island, one rail operator and a simple ticketing policy. Not a lot to ask for.

Lorenzo

Shrewsbury is poorly served by the privatised rail companies and it looks set to continue that way unless we Bring back British Rail.

Neil Rathmell, Shrewsbury

Anything that gets privatised gets run for profit and then profit becomes the most important thing instead of what it was intended for.

Chris Daly, Gomshall

We need a rail system that puts people before profit.

William McKay, Kettering

It’s simply not possible to deliver effective services to stakeholders whilst maximising profits for shareholders. All the evidence available proves this point. BBBR.

Katrina Dorman, Liverpool

Rail is a necessary service not a profit machine for capitalists.

Martin Le Fevre, Belford

The rail system is not working for travellers but shareholders and higher management are still making plenty of money. Our railways need to change.

Rose Chaney, Bridport