Take it back from companies by asset stripping – just as they would!

Merry Cross, Reading

The privatised system has failed and will go on failing.

Michael Monaghan, Harrogate

It used to be so easy to get anywhere at a reasonable price. Now it’s so difficult with all this profiteering going on.

Holly Roberts, London

British Rail was not unfit for purpose, nor was it less functional than the privatised system, it was simply a political manoeuvre to benefit the rich.

Alex Alexandrowicz

If Labour would make a commitment to this, I’m positive that they’d boost their poll ratings overnight.

Robin Orton, Norwich

Privatisation has given us a disjointed service that only benefits shareholders. If anyone can make the railways pay, so can the government.

Ali Joy, Leeds

Bring back BR. Do not privatise East Coast!

Jim Brettell, Leeds

Bring back British Rail. I can remember when the trains were run for the convenience of the passengers not the money grabbing companies running the railways now.

Joy Cuff, Teddington

This should be owned by us. East Coast line has made a profit in public ownership.

Jean Richmond, Nottingham

As a rail enthusiast and volunteer on the railway I have been fortunate enough to hear stories of what life for both passengers and employees of the railways was and it sounded great.

Jordon Skinner, Poole

It is ludicrous now trying to book a ticket for a railway journey. What a mess privatisation has created. No wonder so many people use cars and are blocking up our roads.

Winifred Waite, Washington

£5000 for an annual high speed season ticket, and I have to stand all the way!

Clive Miller, Rochester

It’s blindingly obvious that if you have several dozen private companies running all parts of the rail system, a large chunk of income will be lost.

Gerald Milward-Oliver, Bradford-on-Avon

As I pay for the railways anyway, through the taxpayer subsidy, I and my fellow Brits should own it.

Robert Hill, Bournemouth

East Coast has out-performed all other rail service providers in recent years. A true indication that it should be government run for us and not for private owners.

Rod Galilee, Warkworth

Public service needs to be resumed, not setting targets as a priority with trains running fast to their final destinations and passengers made to wait for the next service.

Chris Williams, Bromley

I miss BR. I could travel across the country in slack time for peanuts and now I need a computer just to sort out how to get there and how much it will cost me.

Tony Nicholson, Southampton

We want our public transport service back. We still pay for it in taxes.

Eira Short, Rochdale

we are an embarrassment compared to other European countries. The rail system is a shambles.

Carolyn Black, Newnham-on-Severn

A railway system for the public and owned by the public.

Simon Kirkham, High Wycombe

Not for profit organisation would keep the greed and corruption at bay.

Brian Finn, Cardiff

If I travel from Hemel to Newcastle I have to buy two separate tickets because they are two different companies.

Doreen Coburn, Hemel Hempstead

I’ve been living my entire life with a horrible, poorly managed railway network, that needs to be fixed. I’m happy to push for the passenger, not for profit.

Yua Newton-Gray, Merthyr Tydfil

Compare with any other railway in Europe, all state run and better.

Jonathan Wise, Dursley

The Government already pays towards supporting the railways and is being fleeced by the companies that run it, so let’s get rid of all these free loading fat cats.

Peter Green, Cleethorpes

Our transport system is too important to be left in the hands of numerous disparate companies whose only loyalty is to their shareholders.

Gordon Anderson, Aberdeen

I fully agree, the government needs to stop creating private profit on everything. The railways are there to support the economy, not necessarily directly create the profit.

Steve O’Connell, Farnborough

Private companies are being subsidised for failures and raking in huge profits whilst the average citizen’s fare is being jacked up exponentially. Bring back British Rail.

Robert Bain, Glasgow

I support you all the way.

Ernie Hill, West Bromwich

East Coast. Why privatise when it’s making a profit.

John Hindmarch, Prudhoe