I hope people understand that the only reason for continued existence of the privatised railway, is to make a small number of men extremely wealthy.

Hector, Cheshire

Nationalisation means simplification, for all concerned.

Peter Fairhurst, Gateshead

There are certain services that should be run on a not-for-profit basis because people rely on them, e.g. water, gas, electricity and transport.

Frank Smith, West Bromwich

British Rail is best!

Paul Thacker, Newport

A nationalised rail network would reduce confusion and probably work a lot better than it does now.

Amy Mason, Brechin

There should be subsidised or free rail travel for the unemployed and those on low incomes. I can’t even afford to go to London for a day to see the free museums.

Mark Morgan, Petersfield

I used to work for BR at Reading, loved every minute of it then they privatised it and it lost its attraction.

Chris Uren, Bracknell

Rail privatisation is another example of the woolly-minded, neo-liberal economics which are ruining this country and the rest of the world.

Martin Ruddy, Mansfield

Re-invest the profits into the railway, to make a better, more affordable railway.

Mark Whittaker, Newark

Necessary, overdue and much needed..

Tom Hurrell, Sheffield

It’s absolutely disgusting that a season ticket is £6,000. Compare it to Singapore for example. The trains are so much bigger there with air-conditioning.

Georgina Lum, Essex

The railway system is a service and a natural monopoly, not an ordinary business venture. It can be run efficiently and safely within the public sector. Time to do it.

Jim Steele, Ilkeston

Interesting that the route taken back by the state is the profitable one now.

James Nicolson, London

Give us back our National Rail.

Ellie Gibbs, Knaresborough

The government should own the rail system and provide service to the people, not people owning it for profit.

Muhammad Ansari, Oxford

Northern Rail must be stopped. It’s hell out there.

Martin Hearne, Chorley

I agree with nationalisation so long as it is managed well and aims to reduce goods and cars on the roads and serves all areas of the UK.

Denise Gorton

Privatisation is a disaster wherever it has been applied. The post-war Labour government nationalised key industries because they had been a rich man’s cash cow pre-war.

Mike Magee, Frome

Subsidised state rail travel is what every other European country takes as normal.

Andrew Wright, York

I fully support railway nationalisation but I think there is an EU Directive 91/440/EC which would get in the way.

Ed Franklin, Plymouth

Privatisation has made the country poorer. Only big businesses like Virgin are gaining.

David Cross, Hull

Bolton to Manchester at peak times shows Northern’s contempt and lack of care for their passengers.

Andrew Smith, Bolton

Rail travel should be affordable for all, not just the rich.

Helen Drew, Tyne and Wear

Train fares are absolutely excessive, and an order of magnitude higher than in other European countries.

Oisin Macfadden, Bristol

State-owned rail travel in Germany, France, Austria, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Portugal, Denmark, Czech Republic, Russia. We are fools. Sign up.

David Freear, Lancaster

As an ex-pat I still support this cause. The rot started with Beeching and was compounded by Thatcher. Tory hierarchs are the enemies of the people.

Nick Telfer, Tignes, France

If we are to support communities and re-connect to a more social way of being other than through Facebook, the rail network requires a solid base to support this from.

Alastair Stewart, Lancaster

When will governments learn that they are representative. We pay tax for national services and it’s not theirs to sell – its ours.

Darren Gallacher, Clacton-on-Sea

Major infrastructure such as the railway system should never be run by private companies. There will always be detriment to the public.

Mark Shaw, Edinburgh