Whatever the problems of a past British Rail – it had better potential than privatisation. The current situation is senseless.

Susan Christie, York

I cannot afford to use public transport – it’s so expensive, so where is the money going? I have to use my car like most people have instead of the pollution-reducing train.

David Mercer, Morecambe

Having worked for BR as a signalman for 20 years, I have seen our railway system slowly deteriorate into the shambles it is now.

Bruce Williams, Dyffryn

Rail travel is only for the well-off and needs to be brought back into public ownership so we can all afford it. It would make the world a safer and cleaner place as well.

Martin Reeve, Newton Abbot

The railway costs the public more than ever, for a bad service. Let the franchises run out, and revert to the state to build up a service for the public, not shareholders.

Peter Moss, Birmingham

Southeastern and Thameslink are a joke. They cannot run a railway simulator let alone an actual railway.

Martyn Martin, London

It’s about time they brought back British Rail and realised that competition is horrible for the passenger.

Richard Rankin, North Humberside

I want better public transport, not richer leeches.

Francis Varley, Sheffield

It’s wrong that a private company should own a national service and profit out of chaos.

Marc Ackland, Sheerness

Re-privatisation has been an absolute Tory failure, with only ScotRail and Chiltern Railways doing any good.

Claire Calder, Norfolk

East Coast Line is the model railway outfit for all UK rail.

Paul White, Huddersfield

The railway companies are only interested in profiteering with over-inflated prices and no customer care.

John Ball, Sheffield

Bring prices down. Re-nationalise now.

Harriet Rogers, Birmingham

Privatisation has done nothing for passengers. We are treated abominably and expected to pay huge increases to reward shareholders. It’s not acceptable.

Stephanie Archer, Manchester

Privatisation has never worked with bus and rail. Labour has failed to undo this and union rights.

Mervyn Davies, Colchester

Put public transport back in the hands of the public and make people accountable for the service we are currently paying for.

Adrian Nugent, Crawley

People before profit.

Philip Rossiter, Eastbourne

We need one rail system for simplicity, convenience and efficiency, not the profit-oriented system we have.

Chris Mandaza, Birmingham

Passengers before profit.

Kara McCormack, Nairn

I always said that privatising rail was a really bad idea.

Peter Slegg

An innovative transport system built with the shovels, barrows and early graves of our Victorian forefathers – today’s capitalist corporation is an insult to their memory.

Peter Hannifan, Bournemouth

Bring it back.

William Hedges, Thatcham

Why do you and I have to subsidise a private company to make profits for its owners? It’s madness.

Philip Lowe, Whitley Bay

And bring back loco-hauled trains while you’re at it.

Gareth William-Philips, Penarth

It’s the only economical way, and the only way progress will be measured from the user’s perspective.

Nick Moxsom

Essential to have a nationally owned and co-ordinated rail service.

Dorothy Jenkinson, Grantham

Network Rail vs. train companies. Hopeless scheme of penalty fees depending on who caused a delay – what a waste. They should be working together – it’s too fragmented.

Christopher Waterhouse, Oxford

We would have a better and cheaper railway if it was re-nationalised.

Fran Waight, Hertford

The railways should belong to the people and not private shareholders and should be affordable.

Jim Page, Surbiton