People need to feel the benefit of public transport, not the pinch as we in a modern world rely on our railway to avoid crowded roads and city streets.

Shane Ruddock, Waterlooville

Now there are so many different types of tickets in different areas, it’s impossible to be sure if you are getting a reasonable deal.

John Wilson, Cambridgeshire

The Conservative government of John Major in 1992 did not have a mandate to privatise the railway. Tories are undemocratic.

David Macklin, Colchester

The punctuality rate British Rail achieved in its last year (about 90%) was not matched by the privatised industry for about 15 years, despite the public investment.

Matthew Milnes, Bingley

As a former rail worker I don’t believe privatisation works. Railways should be a service not a business

Robert Mills, Newbury

Of all the European countries that came to investigate Britain’s great railway privatisation experiment, not one country copied the British experiment.

Andrew Rosthorn, Darwen

Our current system hoodwinks, fleeces, and punishes the customer. I’m sick of navigating the labyrinth of pricing and timings. Bring back our national system, please.

Cathy Smith, London

People before profit’ says it all. Rail network is crucial for the nation on so many different levels. We can’t leave it up to companies whose only concern is the bottom line.

Sarah Dewing, Epsom

Now the East Coast line is in public ownership, it is more efficient and makes a profit.

Tim Byrne, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

I’d visit England much more frequently if it had a coherent rail system.

Geoffrey Taunton, Montmorillon, France

The Rail Network should be British, run by an efficient British management such as that controlling the profitable East Coast line.

John Briddon, Sheffield

I have seen massive price increases and bad delays. We need a rail system that gives value for money and one of which the public can have a say on how it runs.

Anthony Brown, Wincanton

Staggering tripling of taxpayer subsidy since privatisation, lack of investment (e.g. in electrification), and fares going through the roof. Nationalise now.

John Puntis, Leeds

A totally integrated system makes much more sense.

Lindsay McDougall, Cramlington

People should be encouraged to use public transport systems, if we are to reduce CO2 emissions and combat climate change ever. But fares in my area are ridiculous.

Jade Tarsnane, Kidwelly

Re-nationalise the railways! Proof of the pudding is East Coast Mainline. Nationalisation does and can work.

Clive Glaister, Slough

The railways should never have been privatised.

Michele Wortelhoek

The sale and consequent shambles that privatisation has left are testament to the folly of allowing political ideology to dictate transport policy. Bring back BR.

Douglas McCoy, Holt

We need a national rail system which has the needs of passengers at heart rather than those of shareholders.

Marion Wallwork, Nottingham

Get it back.

Ronald Lindsay, Essex

Yes, it definitely needs to be brought back.

Helen Taylor, Bridgend

They should never have been sold off.

Thomas Peter Turton, Manchester

They should never have been sold in the first place.

Richard Wells, St Austell

I just totally agree with what you say.

Rex Holt, Bradford

Why can’t we all have a service as good as the nationally-owned East Coast line?

J Miller, Berkhamsted

I am old enough to remember the propaganda about state subsidies to inefficient nationalised industries. Now those subsidies have tripled under privatisation.

Stephen O’Neill, Liverpool

British Rail for the people. End privatisation and stop ripping of the British public.

Colin Herrick, Lincoln

Unify the whole system and bring back the “Fat Controller” and put a halt to short-term political gain and profiteering.

Michael Rawson, Stockton-on-Tees

Affordable, local rail services for everyone!

Nicholas Lyle, Woking / Portsmouth