Ed Bateman, BristolI want to choose the station I leave from, the station I arrive at and the time I travel. I don’t need or want to choose a company to pilfer the profits.
Mary Francis, LeedsEast Coast must remain in public hands – it provides an efficient service – and makes a profit for government. Why change a good thing and put profits into private hands?
Matthew John Dixon, CaldicotHi, I’m a railway enthusiast and a volunteer on the Dean Forest Railway and I am willing to join and, as a railway historian, I really agree with your statements.
Alan Edwards, WhitstableBritish Rail had its ‘bonkers moments’ but never blood-sucked the unfortunate traveller in the way that now happens.
Keith Robertson, MaldonIt doesn’t work at the moment, as all we are doing as travellers is lining the pockets of the shareholders – so let’s go back to paying for our own railway. What better idea?
Brandon High, RoystonUrgent public ownership of the railway system must be a priority.
Kevin Mulhall, NewarkI am ex BR retired (ill health) supervisor who lost my job because of the Iron Lady.
Joel A Forster Jones, BournemouthThe railways are an essential service for all, not a source of private profit.
Marc Carless, St AlbansWhile I never lived in the age of British Rail, it was in a better state than our current railways. Bring back NSE, Bring back provincial, bring back British Rail.
A Donakey, DevonI have put up with appalling service for the last few years on my commute. Shame on these private companies putting profit before passengers.
Chris Knowles, DealWe’ve seen privatisation exploit its passengers, now let’s see nationalisation serve its passengers.
Margaret White, CheltenhamToo expensive and all too crowded.
Stephen Freeman, SheffieldWe need a railway fit for the future. Privatisation is the only way.
Bethany White, SouthamptonMake rail fares fair.
Christine Butler, MansfieldThe railways should be run for the benefit of people, not profiteering shareholders. Nothing has improved since privatisation, except their bank balances.
David Speight, WakefieldThe railways cost more than most can pay for public transport.
William Kerr, EllonBring back common sense rail travel.
Rachel Pollard, WatfordBeing an ex BR employee I would dearly love to be that proud person who says I work for BR again. It was a great organisation and like a second family to me.
M T, LondonYes, bringing back British Rail would be a good idea.
Paul Clark, SouthamptonPrivatisation has failed. Any monopolistic system with so many interfaces and profit being creamed off the top is just illogical.
Maire Wilcox, CalstockPut people before profits and see what happens.
N P Bradley, DevonBritish Rail was cheaper.
Pauline StephensI really hate the waste that goes on in huge areas of the railway industry today.
Jonathan Hopkins, HarrogateRail privatisation was a fine example of the reverse Robin Hood mentality of the Tory party.
Terry Hudson, DarlingtonEast Coast service proves that the railways can make money under public ownership. All public services and utility companies ought to be re-nationalised.
Maggie Cochrane, YorkKeep East Coast nationalised and add the rest of the network as it becomes available.
Michael Evans, TotnesPlease.
Susannah WoodgateThe best world railways are state-owned and managed. Railways are to serve people not shareholders.
Paul Sheppard, LondonSouthwest Trains are crooks.
Helen Kenner, LondonI absolutely agree it is time to stop the ridiculous subsidisation of shareholder profits in an industry where operators effectively operate as monopolies.