They should never have been privatised.

Ian Tomlinson, Liverpool

Privatisation isn’t working. Just look at the state of our railways.

Martin Mansell, Stevenage

Whatever happened to plans for a mixed economy, combining the best of private and publicly owned services?

Hugh Daniels, Henfield

I’m tired of paying a fortune for 20 minute journeys in trains packed like sardine cans. The railways need government investment.

Nicholas Stewart, Clydebank

Morally, economically and for reasons of efficiency public ownership of rail makes sense.

George Turnbull, Leeds

Privatisation is a scandal as it steals from us what is ours and gives to a few greedy rich for their profit at our expense. It takes money from our pockets to give to them.

Stevan Hezseltine, Carshalton

What are the benefits of privatisation? Profits for foreign companies, confusion on focus within the industry, lack of re-investment, and the trains belonging to the bank.

Sean Hill, Gateshead

High rail prices, late trains and abuse to passengers. It’s time to bring back British Rail.

Paul Lewis, Crowborough

Trains are a public transport not a private one.

Alex Southern, Nottingham

It’s our railway so why is it owned by foreign businesses? Let’s bring it back into the hands of the people who use it.

Tommy Neilan, London

Bring back British Rail, sensible pricing and service.

Robbie Penford Baker, Edinburgh

The current rail franchise system is horrendous and poorly managed.

Paul Tandy, Cheltenham

Get the family silver back.

Pat Smith, Brentwood

End the privatisation disaster.

John Jenkins, York

John Major’s greatest disaster.

Alan Giles, Essex

Privatisation has caused inferior service. The railways and the power companies should be re-nationalised.

Joan Foye, Ossett

Let’s see a return for trains being run as a customer service and not for private profit.

Nick Crago, Harlington

It will cost us far more in the long term to continue to allow greedy private companies to run the network that we use everyday.

David Mcintosh

Stop ripping off passengers.

Richard Wells, Hull

I’m sick of getting ripped off.

John Morrow, Sunderland

We deserve a National Rail Service.

Jean Hall, Derbyshire

As A student I can get to London for

Daniel Brookes, Sedgley

Train travel in the UK is far too expensive for such a poor service.

Scott Foy, Paisley

Why are there no standard fixed ticket prices. It’s exploitative.

Zoe Horne, Dorchester

The rail system should be a service, not a money-making opportunity for investors.

Ray Hand, Abingdon

Privatisation has been a very expensive mistake. These companies invest next to nothing and cream off great profits.

Denis Watterson, Otley

British Rail was running a great system in its last few years 1994-96, but those idiotic politicians decided that privatisation was a great idea!

Allan Hedley, Cumbria

A botched and malicious idea from its inception. Railways of this country should be owned by the state and run for the benefit of all. There should be a public debate.

Michael Ward, Nottingham

A unified system makes sense doesn’t it? And for other things too? Water for example.

Mike Boursnell, Cambridge

Rail is a natural monopoly so public ownership is the appropriate system.

David Fletcher, Nuneaton