Timothy Richards, AbertridwrJust look at how the railway industry is organised on the continent (owned by the state.) Privatisation is neither efficient nor cheap.
P J Casey, NelsonPrivate companies will never give us a proper 21st century railway system. This is a national strategic and economic asset, while private is short-term profit-obsessed only.
Antony Hearmon, LondonAll utilities, mail etc. education, services, transport should be apolitical and not run for private profit.
Jack Butterworth, HarrogateWhy not carry out a poll of the East Coast line commuters. Their view should be fairly conclusive.
Malcolm Wallace, ChelmsfordSpread the word. Make sure that, when we win, the public and employees are fully engaged in the new framework.
Janet Guest, SheffieldI agree with all previous comments, and we need our train network to be re-nationalised as soon as possible.
Jane Moorhead, LondonIt can’t possibly be any worse.
Henriette McPartlin, MissionPublic transport is more sustainable.
Tom Coates, HuddersfieldI’m a regular commuter who loves public transport and I disagree that the profit motive is conducive to a better service.
David Elford Johnson, TelfordYes, take it all back, but don’t spoil it by outlandish claims when we do.
Ian Hayward, BasingstokeHow can you run a railway and claim maximum customer service when you are also giving millions of pounds to shareholders who contribute nothing?
Steve Summers, Henley-on-ThamesIt’s shocking that what should be a public service for us all now simply lines foreigners’ pockets. A national disgrace.
Rory Barke, YorkBring back British Rail for the common good and not for profit. Then bring back the energy companies, water, electricity and gas.
Courtenay TurnerTransport, like healthcare and education, is something all our people require to succeed in life. Privatisation has disadvantaged certain regions for too long now.
Alan Coode, OxtedBring back BR.
Gary Whittaker, WakefieldEnd the subsidies going into private pockets. Subsidise the nation.
George Houseman, WakefieldIt is better to have an integrated railway facility than the fragmented service now available. Also more economical.
Ashley Wells, LoughboroughI have to live with Southern Rail every day. They are terrible. I want a system that is primarily about serving passengers, not shareholders.
Phil Round, St HelensWe need a model like the East Coast Mainline where money does not go to private shareholders.
Juliet Wilson, EdinburghWe need affordable, interconnected, environmentally friendly rail services.
Bradley Ruben, IlfordBritish Rail had class. British rail had its own recognisable railway uniforms. There are too many names now. The name Britain is lost from the industry.
Jeremy Leverton, WinchesterWhy should we pay more in subsidies for a worse service?
Aaron M, East SussexPrivate operators waste too much time apportioning blame for late trains between each other.
Adrian Challinor, LondonOh, please. Anything but Southeastern.
Pip Banham, NorwichTake it back and don’t waste millions on making the London to Birmingham run quicker. It is not needed.
M Smith, LeedsWhy should we give billions to companies to run railways when we can own it and make a profit for the nation.
David Henderson, BirminghamPrivate companies receive more in subsidies than BR ever did, but is the service any better? No.
Jane Ballinger, LlangollenBritish Rail should never have been privatised.
Ian Johnstone, GranthamThe only one that makes a real profit is the East Coast line that is publicly owned, a prime example of how it can work.
Dennis Hart, ManchesterUn-privatise is the only way forward from this mess.