Among other evils, the process of privatisation destroyed nearly all of our train building companies.

David Salinger, Leeds

The privatisation of BR was a criminal destruction of a well-functioning railway system for the stupidest ideological reasons and has been a disaster for Britain.

Francis Nixon, Marton, New Zealand

It ain’t working so let’s fix it.

Jeff Sacree, Bude

Stop HS2 and spend the money on improving regional lines.

Keith Gunstone, Machynlleth

Long overdue.

Colin Farlow, Exeter

Fair railway ticket prices are the path to a zero carbon country!

Bruce Asbestos, Nottingham

Yes, it definitely needs to be brought back.

Helen Taylor, Bridgend

I cannot think of a single reason why it shouldn’t.

Vincent Connolly, Hastings

Give us back a harmonised, not for profit transportation system that is both punctual, safe and reliable. Public ownership driven by private sector values.

Mark Charlwood, Liphook

The only rail service that makes a profit is East Coast trains. That says it all really.

Helen Taylor, Wakefield

The current UK system is a rip-off. The French system works. I have used it and I know.

Rob Sworn, Reigate

Railways in the UK are no longer the mode of transport affordable to people earning the minimum wage. Flying is cheaper than travel by rail. Come on government.

James Murphy, East Boldon

Do I need to explain why bringing the train network back in house is a good thing? Surely the greedy mismanagement of the private sector has already done it.

Dennis Bridges, London

The privatisation left us in a worse state with little investment and a network not fit for purpose.

John Harrison, Leeds

I would love to travel somewhere (anywhere) on a train again but the so-called discounts don’t actually exist for OAP day-trippers as fares are still too high.

Nick Callow, Midsomer Norton

It’s not all about profit.

Tony Wilmot, Birmingham

They should never have been privatised in the first place.

Thomas Edwin Eddleston, Oldham

Privatisation has been an unmitigated disaster.

Paul Lock, Stroud

My commute from Bolton to Manchester is beyond belief. It is far worse than any journey on the London Underground.

Marina Matosic, Bolton

We currently have a disjointed patchwork of private interests dictating the provision of rail services in accordance with the profit motive. I want to see a collectively owned system that is affordable to all!

Jonathan Brown, London

Re-integrate each franchise as it expires, starting with the well-run East Coast line.

John Watson, Brighton

Railways for people and our environment, not profit for the elite.

Clive Swinsco, Sheffield

First are extortionate.

Dale Shanley, Bristol

The privatised railway system which was imposed upon us is manifestly not fit for purpose. It is fractured and massively expensive both to run and travel on.

Stephen Thomas, London

Good to see action.

Julie Boston, Bristol

Like all the other privatisations, it costs more and the service is worse.

Christopher Chatters, Newbury

I think that the railways are a utility and should be re-nationalised in order for the country to work smoothly, in a way which is fully integrated from North to South.

Lynn Roberts, Tunbridge Wells

Let the people own the service industries, rather than allowing businessmen to take the profits.

Hans Fried, London

I take the train every day. It is inefficient and overpriced.

Yasmin Chotai De Lima , Gravesend

It makes sense.

Murray Shelmerdine, London