The Government should be running the rail lines, not the shareholders.

Bill Murphy, York

Surely everyone can now see privatisation is not working? The East Coast line has actually been profitable while it has been run by the state.

Audrey Stewart, Hitchin

Iconic British Rail.

Alan Stevens, Fleet

I remember when we used to complain about British Rail but it was about the Pork Pies and no-one questioned its ability to get us from A to B as per the timetable.

Patrick Spackman, Bristol

First Capital Connect are always delayed and over-priced.

Peter Jones, Cambridge

It would be a damn sight more reliable in giving a better service instead of lining someone’s pocket.

Roger Semmens, Penzance

Taxpayer money built the rails and now we’re just getting ripped off by the companies that own the concessions.

Marc Brammer, Glasgow

I oppose rail privatisation on both economic and operational grounds, speaking as a qualified transport economist.

James Bremner, Holmrook

I’ve experienced major cock-ups by the current train operating companies. They all seem to be interested in huge profits and not public service.

Terry Macavoy, Halstead

I have been a rail user all my life and have never seen the system improve, not one bit, in any way and most of my use has been since privatisation.

Tom Black, Oxford

Monopoly services should not be in private hands, particularly when they are essential. The money we pay in fares and subsidies should not contribute to private profit.

David Willingham, Eastbourne

Stop rail companies avoiding tax here while shipping rail profits and taxpayer subsidies abroad. East Coast line is a great example of what public ownership can do.

Robert Powell, Stockton-on-Tees

Service before profit.

Richard Palmer

Privatisation has taken its toll on the whole railway system in Britain, turning it into a complete mess, not to mention train fares going up year after year.

Jamie Spilsbury, Merseyside

Taxpayers subsidising profits for shareholders? Disgrace!

Gareth Hodgins, South Glamorgan

Bring back British Rail.

Angela Constantinou, London

Then maybe we can get back to fixed fares for each route.

Shaun Pye, Leeds

Stop ripping us off.

Ivor Wilson, Ware

Not for profit.

Paul Brookes, Walsall

Bring it back!

Dewi Loveluck, Bridgend

First Great Western abuse their powers. Words cannot describe how unjust and biased they have been towards me.

Khalid Rasool, Reading

Why privatise a national asset in the first place? – Greed.

Pat Tracey, Fleet

Bring back British Rail!

Manuel Schimpl, Liverpool

Let’s have a sensible rail network with a sensible fares policy.

Nick Allen, Hassocks

Stop privatisation and extortionate fares, bring down the corporate greedy scum of the Earth.

Chris Loades, Crawley

We bought it – we paid for it – and now we are paying all over again and again – whilst others reap the profits.

Susan Atkins, Sheffield

I would love to see British Rail again.

Margaret Watson, Glasgow

Yeah, and let’s have some proper effort to run it right.

Jennifer Parry, Rowlands Gill