We need a national railway.

Gordon Hollingsworth, York

Let’s make it the end of the line for Branson, Stagecoach and all the other shysters who are ripping off the travelling public.

Bert Schouwenburg, Walthamstow

I’m a regular ECML passenger – it runs efficiently and makes a profit. So if it ain’t broke why fix it? Re-nationalise the rest and who knows what improvements might follow?

David Fisher, Reading

Hoping for a fairly priced and state-owned railway system.

Elaine Tavner, Holford

If the rail tickets were sensibly priced, car usage would be reduced.

Andy Lewis, London

Oh, please. Anything but Southeastern.

Adrian Challinor, London

Rail should be re-nationalised so that all the profits are re-invested, and nothing paid out as dividends.

Chay Paterson, Manchester

I’m sick to death of the useless service we get.

James Todd, Stevenage

A fragmented system is not a system. The whole thing is too complex to be efficient, effective and economical.

Roger Stokes, Bedford

Journeys are too expensive. And why do I have to pay to use the toilet? This is a violation of my human rights I’m certain.

Chiara Knott, Nottingham

I think that the railways are a utility and should be re-nationalised in order for the country to work smoothly, in a way which is fully integrated from North to South.

Lynn Roberts, Tunbridge Wells

Bring it back to the people for the people.

Nicholas Townsend, London

Railways are for everyone, not just their shareholders.

Bob Williams, Flitwick

I understand what you mean but I dislike the British Rail tag. Let’s aim a little higher than that.

Maggie Lewis, Waltham-on-the-Wolds

Rail needs to be subsidised by the government. Prices have become ridiculous when compared to incomes, and inflation. As a tax payer I feel, used and abused.

Jacqueline Wilson, Herne Bay

I use the East Coast mainline to visit my mother in London. I’m delighted with the service. Trains, like hospitals, schools, water, gas and electricity should belong to the people.

Caroline Bond, Leeds

Privatisations were always implemented so that friends of the Party were able to become fat cats.

Mark Jordan, Port Talbot

The failure and expense of the privatisation of the railways should be a warning to those who are pushing through similar policies for other public services.

Andrea Franks, Merseyside

A union of passengers and employees would be a far more democratic, direct and better way to run our railways.

Sam Nichol

Please bring back a decent, nationalised rail service that is accountable to its customers and not to shareholders and profiteering executives.

Joe Rus, Trowbridge

Bring back BR.

Nicholas Bigsby, London

I cannot believe that the current rail service is still allowed to operate such a substandard service. I travel to work on TransPennine and Northern Rail.

Russell Alexander, Manchester

This is not working.

Barrie Evans, London

Bring back British Rail.

Balwinder Singh, Leicester

Put an end to short franchises, lack of investment, not enough capacity, delays, poor communication, no leg room, small seats and over-priced refreshment.

Andrew Nicholls, Colchester

I long for the old days when the railways were run by people who were truly interested in their jobs and not run for greedy profiteers but for the passengers.

Elizabeth Cross, Chichester

Passenger safety is before profits. To have a transport infrastructure that puts profits before safety is beyond belief.

Neil Dexter, Worksop

I wasn’t alive when British Rail was around, but everyone I know who was alive tells me that everything was much better than it is now, which isn’t that hard a task.

Matthew Brigden, Cardiff

The sooner the better.

Graham Chadwick, Littleborough

Make fares fair again.

Sam Roberts, London