If the companies fail we have to bail them out anyway – what’s the point? No private critical infrastructure.

Matthew Hill

More jobs, not profit.

Raymond Anderson, Snodland

I hope this is not a lost cause. Tories do not want public ownership and Labour did nothing under Blair and Brown, re-letting franchises instead of direct rail control.

Richard Sharp, Polegate

The proposed privatisation of East Coast, an excellent and profitable railway, is complete madness, Remember EC’s predecessors’ incompetence.

Martin Dibbs, Fife

We need to bring back our assets into public ownership, starting with our Railway.

Maurice Spurway, Exeter

Just that – bring back British Railways – and steam too, whilst we are about it. Then we would have a REAL railway.

Anthony Stunners, Warboys

This is supposed to be a public transport system and not the government’s and their fat cat friends’ profiteering play thing.

Peter Vahl, Sutton

For the people, not private profit.

Eirin Julie Ingebrigtsvoll, London

We pay extortionate prices to stand like cattle. It makes no sense for a railway to be run for private profit.

Mary Ion, Bromley

It should never have been privatised.

Mark Williams, Alderley Edge

Do the right thing and re-nationalise the railways. Everyone is fed up with the standard of service and price increases. It’s not working.

Andrew Ritchie, Peterborough

There are some important services which should be just that – not business, e.g. NHS, transport infrastructure. Reverse Tory privatisations.

Elizabeth Burling, London

I believe railways should be run as a public service, with affordable ticket prices, and not for private profit.

Rosemary Marriott, Sheffield

We do it better for ourselves than the rich shareholders will ever do it for profit.

Julie Ward, Durham

Retired BR R&M Fitter. I left because of privatisation after joining BR WR in the 1960s at the Swindon Apprentice Training School. Privatisation is a shambles.

Michael Lewis, Haverfordwest

Can’t wait to ride on a British Train once more.

Maxine Jackson, Liverpool

Profits would be better used on more trains, services and tracks alongside current lines. No to HS2.

Steve Clarke, Milton Keynes

Rail travel should be affordable to all and fares should be at a level to encourage people to abandon their cars and take the train. For the sake of the planet, please.

Christine Gunby, Sheffield

Re-nationalise – it makes sense.

Erryl McLarty, Whitley Bay

Taxpayers paid for British Rail and taxpayers would like it back please.

Michael Hilton, Reading

Britain needs an efficient, unified, real service run to provide a high quality service, not an over-priced, disjointed railway system run for profit at our expense.

Julia Taylor, Leicester

Money can be made, so make it for the taxpayer.

Alan Williams, Saltburn-by-the-Sea

There are no motorways or dual carriageways in our county and the railways are vital. Invest and reinstate the rail link from South Wales to Mid and North Wales.

Rhys Thwaites-Jones, Aberystwyth

We should never have let Major privatise British Rail.

Angela Paine, Stroud

Unacceptable service at continually greater unacceptable prices. Please bring back British Rail.

Vikesh Mistry, London

From the outset this de-nationalisation was doomed. Its sole purpose was to force a change for purely political reasons, and has not resulted in a better service so far.

Betty Hollingsworth, York

Public ownership is essential for our health and well-being. Rail and all methods of transport realise these needs.

Alan Sykes, Bradford

Only nationalisation of our rail services can guarantee effective services and costings.

Donald Watson, Durham

Our trains seriously lag behind the nationalised systems of France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, all of whom also have much cheaper fares.

Thomas Barlow, Manchester

British Rail ought to be brought back for passenger trains in England, Wales and Scotland.

Frank Nicholas Adam