Jenny Gilbert, WellingtonI’m old enough to remember when using the railways wasn’t a stressful task. There may have been some timing issues, but buying a ticket was so simple back then.
Colin Flowerday, HoltThe British Railways Board ran an excellent train service. These private companies are useless, typical Tory crap. So bring back British Rail.
Steve Adie, CarlisleRe-nationalise the railways and make them better. There are too many top bosses getting crazy pay and bonuses which should be used to improve the network.
Bertie Shaw, DealI believe that without the involvement of private companies the railways would have little investment. I do believe in a national passenger operator (but just that).
Edmund Preston, KinderIt’s long overdue. It’s time to admit mistakes. The French and Germans both have national rail systems as well as buying bits of ours.
Amanda Blicq, NottinghamI wouldn’t want to bring back BR, but state ownership on the European model would be more than acceptable. East Coast trains show it can be done.
Nick Adams, BirminghamWe need a simple, affordable ticketing structure coupled with all the trains, tracks and stations being run by one publicly accountable body. That’s simple.
Ralph Baker, MargatePrivatisation has made the railways much worse.
Frank Evans, ChesterfieldAll public transport should be counted as a utility and all utilities should be re-nationalised.
Eva Schovneld, EdinburghRe-nationalise now.
Roger Sternad, DoncasterRailways should be a social service, not a money making one. Profit making has benefit in some limited situations. It is not a one-size-fits-all miracle cure.
Damon Reid, ManchesterIt’s about time we faced facts and realised that there will never be proper investment in rail under private ownership.
Michael Kelland, LondonLudicrously overpriced, unreliable. The rail system is awful.
Peter Worth, NottinghamThe whole rail system is a mess. Bring back British Rail.
Tom Coates, HuddersfieldI’m a regular commuter who loves public transport and I disagree that the profit motive is conducive to a better service.
Ann Bennett, Kings LangleyI sincerely hope this works.
Alan North, SpaldingAs a retired British Rail Civil Engineer I will confirm that, with a direct labour workforce of BR employees right up to Chief Civil Engineers, we rocked.
Robert Street, DronfieldThe East Coast Line shows how successful public ownership can be, ploughing profits back into the Treasury. Privatisation is a failed ideology.
Catherine Lowe, BedfordRe-nationalise the rail. Make it so it can stand on a par with Europe. Cheap and efficient.
David Thompson, LiverpoolRail is a natural monopoly and should be run as a true service for the people, never for profit.
Karl Madert, LondonFor the taxpayer not the shareholder.
David Cross, HullPrivatisation has made the country poorer. Only big businesses like Virgin are gaining.
Patrick English, SheffieldOver-priced horrible trains ran for fat cats and not for the public good.
Patricia Macnair, GlasgowI am very happy to back this. Having travelled on German and Austrian trains this autumn, I am aware of the shortcomings in the British system.
Patricia Gwynnette, RotherhamNot much chance of success considering the stance of HS2 and other moves to silence any protest.
Liz Stewart, WithamPlease return to providing a safe and affordable service for people.
Barry O’Toole, LiverpoolPrivate sector vultures have destroyed the railways. We will take them back by force if necessary.
Frederick Toates, Milton KeynesStop this shambles of ever-increasing fares.
Steven Paxton, GlasgowA nationalised UK company for all UK nations for the benefit of all.
John Airey, PeterboroughWe can do better with our railways when they aren’t subsidising the railways of other countries.