No privatisation has resulted in cheaper prices for consumers – just profits for the minority who became shareholders.

Rosalind Hurst, Whitley Bay

Bring it back. It works for the people.

Mary T Johnston, Edinburgh

I am currently not a regular traveller but re-nationalisation is surely the only way to recover our once excellent (environmentally acceptable) system.

Anne Vincent, Arundel

Privatisation drives up prices and encourages companies to make too much money out of a public service.

Jennie C-Knight, Cromer

Privatisation provides a worse service for a higher price, all for the sake of corporate profit. I say the railways should be for the people, not the fat-cats.

Chris Johnson, Cardiff

Our rail, our gas, our electricity, our commons, our streets in the hands of profiteers. I hope they shall soon perish.

Sharon Borthwick, London

Take control of our dysfunctional rail network and make it whole again.

David Messent, Hove

We need a single authority that will be responsible for a unified network. This is the only way that customers will be provided with the service they need and deserve.

Edward Hudson, York

Brilliant idea. I agree 100%!

Danny Barrett

I usually avoid trains now. It’s just not worth it. I take the coach instead.

Ian Mayman, Leamington Spa

It’s high time ticketing/pricing was unified. It’s the 21st century – people shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to book a train journey.

Hilary James, Donegal

People before profits and release the congestion on Britain’s roads.

Allan J Douglas, Forfar

Privatisation has meant soaring ticket prices, ever larger subsidies and inferior service. Transport in the hands of the state (East Coast) will always outperform private.

Peter Sansom, Glasgow

The line I use was run by Network South East in the early 90s, which was a brilliant service, then rubbish Connex took over and now South Eastern Trains.

Steven Evans

In general, I feel that all essential nation-wide facilities and services should belong to the people and not to private companies whose main purpose is profit.

Chris Manvell, Isle of Skye

Privatisation of such a valuable service was a catastrophe from the start, so let’s rectify the mistakes of the past.

Benjamin Walker, Manchester

Do it yesterday.

Simeon Green, Ilkeston

Ticket prices keep rising but services are no better. Where’s the benefit for those of us paying for the service?

Kaitlin Milford

As a commuter into London every day, very soon I will find that I cannot afford to go to work, especially when I am not freelance.

John Mitchell, Seaford

Please bring back British Rail and get rid of South Eastern Trains.

Steve Jackson, Welling

We need our rails and stations cared for.

Martin Walters, Newport

Let the people own the service industries, rather than allowing businessmen to take the profits.

Hans Fried, London

The provision of essentials like water, power and transport should obviously not be in private hands.

Roger Higgs, Bude

It’s wrong that we subsidise the railways only for private business to make huge profits for themselves.

Steve Austin, Birmingham

Bring back British Rail – it is proven to be more efficient – as the East Coast route.

Claire Goodwin, Southsea

The rail network is an essential part of the UK infrastructure.

David Edwards, Frome

The rail network is in a mess and I fully support this. I would put all utility services back in public hands and reverse the proposed plans to sell off Royal Mail.

Nigel Groom, Derby

It’s time to stop subsidising fares in France, Germany, Holland, Japan and others with our franchises and start running a system that works for Britain.

Alex Lancaster