The privatised railway costs five times what British Rail cost.

Stephen Noble, Wakefield

The only way forward.

Ivor Wiggett, London

As commuters we get no advantages from private companies running trains (badly). Labour should commit to the re-nationalisation of the railways as they had the vision in 1948.

Clive Gehle, London

Isn’t it obvious?

Emma Robbins

Infrastructure and services should not be privately owned.

Brian Wakeling, Bingley

I worked for British Rail and was pleased to serve passengers (not customers. End the market pantomime now.

Gary Skolik, Hull

Let’s fix this. One of the biggest mistakes in the ’90s.

Dave Gonzalez, Oxfordshire

Make fares fair again.

Sam Roberts, London

Just make it public.

Steve Allen, Sheffield

In the days of BR, you were never chucked off a working train to wait for the next one, just because the operator thought they might lose money.

Elizabeth Hudson, Hereford

Anything to get rid of London Midland’s appalling service.

Andrea Stanton, Walsall

Privatisation hasn’t worked on the railways. Bring back public ownership.

Anthony Howe, Luton

Investment in the service and for those who use it can’t by wasted in dividends.

Jill Sanders, Hampton

Dump the profiteers and give the railways back to the people.

Mike Chivers, Waterlooville

We pay extortionate prices to stand like cattle. It makes no sense for a railway to be run for private profit.

Mary Ion, Bromley

All essential services should be non-profit. Travel is an essential service and should belong to the people.

John Couzin, Glasgow

Since the sell-off, prices have gone sky high. Occasional travellers cannot afford the fares, trains are crowded, even at off-peak times.

Jill Malenoir, Andover

It’s a no-brainer to all, apart from those that seek to make profit and cut jobs in the process and the politicians that look after their interests.

Mark Carter, Bournemouth

Rail is a natural monopoly. The current chaos costs a fortune which all goes to consultants and parasites. If BR had that money our rail service would be brilliant.

Joe Boswell, Fremantle

BR cost taxpayers about a third of what the privatised railway does now and was cheaper for passengers too. Nationalise franchises when they expire for greater efficiency.

David Sterratt, Edinburgh

The railway represents a significant national asset which should be treasured, not milked for maximum profit.

Martyn Dormer, Bath

Not necessarily British Rail but we need a less fragmented railway.

Danny Read, Goole

Safety before profit.

Ben Evenden

Bring back British Rail. Privatisation has been a disaster.

Beryl Myers, Co. Durham

The days of Joe Public paying through the nose to sustain the luxurious lifestyles of the greedy capitalist class must come to an end.

Alan Crowther, Stockport

Trains are necessary infrastructure for the good of the nation so should not be left in the hands of those who would bleed them dry to maximise profit.

Robin Mallinson, Hatfield

The East Coast line shows how it should be done.

David Graham, West Yorkshire

A fully efficient national rail network returned to its rightful place in the public sector is what we need. It shouldn’t be in the hands of a profit-making fat cat elite.

Andrew Thomson, Ramsgate

The privatised network is a far bigger drain on the public purse than British Rail ever was. The privatised network makes no economic sense.

Paul Lydiate, London