Peter Tatchell, LondonPublic services should be under public ownership and control – not for private profit.
Eirug Griffiths, PontardaweToo many passengers are being ripped off by hikes in rail fares which are sometimes above inflation and outdated rolling stock being used and not enough investment made.
John Brien, BeverleyIn a civilised society things like public transport – getting people to work or to see family – should be a public service, not a profit-making organisation.
David McintoshSince privatisation government subsidy has increased in real terms alongside the dividends of the train operators
Helen Morton, LondonRe-nationalising the railways is the only way to make it for the people not just for private profit.
Nizar Kazan, LausanneBring Back British Rail – from Switzerland.
David Jackson, Stony StratfordThe Will Hutton article (Sunday 24 August, The Observer) makes perfect sense.
Dorothy Chambers, LincolnI agree John Major had no right to sell it off.
Ian Mayman, Leamington SpaI usually avoid trains now. It’s just not worth it. I take the coach instead.
Jeffrey Turner, NottinghamThe railway system should be unified and money that is currently paid in profits can be used to improve they system.
Simon Coll, OakhamWhy is handing our public services and utilities to the nationalised companies of other countries better than running them in the UK public sector?
Colin Thompson, Bury St EdmundsThe carriages need to be cleaner and there should be more of them. Fares should be standardised and the journey and customer experience should be prioritised.
Paul Nelson, EastbournePrivatisation of a national public service inevitably only looks to increase the bottom lines of a few. This must end. Bring back British Rail.
Brian Courtney, AlexandriaThere’s a billion reasons to keep it in public ownership.
Glenn Tregillis, WinchesterRe-train Britain for a more sustainable future.
Barry Graham, YorkCritical infra-structure like railways should be owned by the public as in many European countries.
Steve Beckett, LondonRail privatisation is a rip-off for the commuter and the taxpayer and has led to an inconsistent and expensive service.
Mark Kilburn, BradfordThere’s too many of these Tory rich people.
John Rich, ElyEnough of rip-off train operating companies and greedy leasing companies. Let’s get back to a public service on the rails.
Thomas Sutton, DerbyshireI had to get the train down to London the other day and it cost well over £100. Crazy! Why would anybody take the train given a choice?
Cathy Wilson, LiverpoolYou can’t control what you don’t own. Transport is a social service, part of a civilised society. All profits are needed for re-investment, Low Fares, good conditions.
Michael Rands, HullMake these companies run by the people and shared by the people.
Rita Lee, BarnsleyI used to love travelling by train years ago but now find I don’t because of the expense and overcrowding.
Peter Fairhurst, GatesheadNationalisation means simplification, for all concerned.
Alison Smith, HoveTicket prices are now so high that they will force commuters off the trains. Please re-nationalise the railways and run them as a public service.
Scott Berman, ChelmsfordThis company has ruined my life. No words can describe the pain I have been through including my wife’s 40th ruined.
Philippe Close, BrixtonCommon Sense.
Martin Rawson, DerbyEast Coast Mainline proves it can be done. High quality service run for passengers not shareholders’ profit.
Philip Cumberland, WhittleseyPrivatising the railways was a victory of political dogma over common sense. It’s about time we had common sense back on the agenda so it’s time to re-nationalise.
Sean-Patrick O’Hanrahan, CambridgeBring back British Rail.