It should be a public service not a gravy train.

Helene Hart, Camberley

The railway companies are only interested in profiteering with over-inflated prices and no customer care.

John Ball, Sheffield

It makes total sense.

Nick West, London

The East Coast line makes a net profit run by the public sector. Perhaps the rest can too.

Jenny Shevlin, Leeds

Compared to other countries our current situation is ludicrous. The railway should be for the benefit of the people not for the benefit of the corporations.

Sarah Macdonald, Melbourne

Take our now totally fragmented national railway out of the hands of the privateers who are exploiting it to the full. Only re-nationalisation will make it work again.

Stephen Riggott, Southampton

Yes, it definitely needs to be brought back.

Helen Taylor, Bridgend

I’m a young guy who can’t drive a car because I have epilepsy. There is no way I will be able to afford the ridiculous rail fares that we have today if I get a job.

Thomas Harker, Marlborough

I am sick of public money subsidising private companies and shareholders. Give it back to us – we paid for it after all!

Mary Watson, London

Nationalise all public services.

Jason George Walker, Stoke-on-Trent

Privatisation does not work. We are still propping up private companies as they make a profit off the back of fed up commuters.

Hayley Wingrove, Wickford

I’ve joined. Good on ya.

Matt Wellings, Wrexham

When I looked into journeys I would like to make by train, I found it was far too expensive and extremely complicated so I just went by road instead.

Norman Noy

The monopoly the train companies have over the lines we have no choice but to use is disgraceful and should not be tolerated

Kyle Amps, Birmingham

The rail system in this country is a joke. Something needs to change.

Jonathan Butcher, Sheffield

Bring back our low fare railways God Save British Rail.

Norman Clegg, Blackpool

The railways were run much better when British Rail ran the service and didn’t keep putting the fares up.

Sharon Baynham, London

Their profligate greed is bringing this country to a standstill. A service should be just that and all profits made should be driven back into making services better.

Joe Sims, Bristol

We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by bringing back British Rail. The only people likely to lose are shareholders, not passengers.

Sandra Lunn, Letchworth

The whole premise of public transport is that it’s supposed to be a service you can use as and when you need it. It’s not like booking a holiday 3 months in advance.

Arlo Tickner, Lancaster

Privatisation of the rail network has devastated this country. I think the entire infrastructure of the UK is falling apart bit by bit. It’s very sad to see this happening…

Julia Logie, Heathfield

Standard text book economics tells you that private ownership of a natural monopoly is a bad idea. Train service is cheaper and better in countries with public ownership.

Thomas Renstrom, Durham

Rail privatisation is a rip-off for the commuter and the taxpayer and has led to an inconsistent and expensive service.

Steve Beckett, London

About time, bloody Thatcher.

John Devine, Chippenham

I think that privatisation has been promoted purely for political expediency and short-term gain. The politicians who allow this aren’t living with the consequences.

Jake Bolton, Blackburn

De-nationalisation was the worst thing to happen to the railways since Beeching. Take them back into public ownership now.

Niall Campbell, Fleetwood

There are a few things I believe should not be subject to market forces, shareholder interests etc.

Nick Packer, Glasgow

Keep British Rail ours.

Margaret Havercroft, Harrogate

Put the railways back under British Rail and re-open some lines in the Wigan area.

Colin Miller, Wigan

We need all train companies and Network Rail nationalised.

Michael McDonald, Livingston