Public services should be for the public not profit.

Leslie Mattey, Bruton

Our trains are a joke – dirty, smelly, uncomfortable and noisy. The first train on a Sunday is 12.30, so can’t get anywhere in time to get back.

Andrew Gammage, Skegness

The railway can survive in public hands as we don’t live in the old days.

Anne Armstrong, Seaford

It’s an open and shut case. Bring it on.

David Petty, Saffron Walden

It makes eminent sense to have a national transport system run for the benefit of the country and not for private profit.

Tony Copeland, Boroughbridge

Free the railway.

Paddy Cawkwell, Doncaster

We all need our rail system. It is not only essential for our nation but should be part of our national pride.

Benjamin Adams, Lewes

Please keep me informed on your progress.

Mark Cameron, Burnley

Re-unite British Rail.

Jennifer Buckley, Peterborough

I am totally against train operators’ high pricing, which still doesn’t guarantee a comfortable seat.

Ted Hammond, Daventry

I am absolutely appalled at the north and south divide in train companies, and plastic new rolling stock being imported. Bring this to an end.

Toby Johnson, Heswall

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

Hugh Daniels, Henfield

It’s about time it was returned to us. East Coast Rail has proved that it works better than privately-owned.

Liz Andelin, Otley

We need a national approach as part of a national transport strategy with profits re-invested, not paid out to shareholders and meeting the overheads of private sector.

Raymond Watson, Bingley

I am embarrassed by the shambolic services, the prices astronomical and will not encourage car users to leave the road.

Angela Gardner, Manchester

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

Mike Chivers, Waterlooville

Yes, there where issues with BR, but they were trying to improve the service and, after the hugely popular InterCity 125, things were turning round but then randomly sold off.

Alex Lewis, Wales

Privatisation is a farce. Fares are too expensive and with deranged, overcrowded, inadequate rolling stock and no integration. Bring Back BR.

Thomas Freeman, Halesowen

This is an essential public service which should be returned as a nationalised industry. Past mistakes have been learned and the objective should be public service.

Mike Walling, Exeter

Re-nationalise, for a rail service ran for the good of the people and not foreign millionaires.

Matthew Rogers, Yeovil

The service is better than it was, but hugely overpriced. Even cheap day fares have practically doubled since privatisation.

C. Sanger, Haslemere

I’ve been waiting for this since leaving British Rail civil engineering when it got given on a plate to the business men.

Ted

It is ludicrous now trying to book a ticket for a railway journey. What a mess privatisation has created. No wonder so many people use cars and are blocking up our roads.

Winifred Waite, Washington

An eminently sensible idea. The whole privatisation thing has been a fiasco.

Malcolm Davison, Gateshead

Having rail in private hands has proved to be a complete disaster on all counts.

Steven Caris, London

The privatisation of our rail service was an expensive disgrace and should be reversed.

Stan Newens, Harlow

Let’s get people moving on the trains at a good price. All working together. Unify our rail.

Mike Bond, Bristol

In a civilised society things like public transport – getting people to work or to see family – should be a public service, not a profit-making organisation.

John Brien, Beverley