In the past local trains would have waited until the arrival of late-running main line trains, but they don’t in the era of a privatised system.

Alastair Lings, Galashiels

Having numerous private rail companies did not work in the 19th century and still does not work in the 21st century.

Patrick Turner, London

Please re-nationalise the railways and make the railways one affordable public service, not a lot of expensive private businesses.

Yzabel Field, London

There is no valid reason for keeping the railways in private hands. The model has miserably failed. This is resulting in underused transport rail service and clogged roads.

Neraj Sharma, Milton Keynes

The nation that gave railways to the World, has given away its railways.

Ken Lee, Truro

Sort it out and give us back the railways.

Sid Willard, London

Privatisation is a capitalist threat to democracy.

David Lienard, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Only an idiot could think that giving a national network to the private sector could possibly save money for the people who use it.

Athel Dunning, London

I have been ripped off with prices and poor services for over two decades. It was SO much better before being privatised.

Nigel Manners, Devon

Re-nationalise and keep the profits to be invested in the infrastructure.

Trevor Walsh, Oldham

Joined-up thinking will give us a joined-up service.

Dawn Nelson, Midhurst

State amenities need state ownership by their very nature.

Ashley Langford, Wolverhampton

It’s a joke how much the trains cost. In the era of productivity being bigger than ever, the state could afford public transport to be really cheap.

Maciej Krzymieniecki, Barry

British Rail should never have been privatised.

Brian Ardill, Cullompton

Enough is enough. The rail infrastructure in this country is beyond terrible. It’s expensive, embarrassingly bad and the companies are without culpability.

Andy Travis, London

Rail fares in this country are way too much – especially for students living in rural areas where transport is scarce.

Fiona Crompton, Bodmin

It’s a terribly disjointed and unsatisfactory national rail system, geared not towards public satisfaction but to private profit.

Luke Whaley

The current privatised rail system is ridiculous. There is no competition on the privatised lines. It is just a licence to make money at the customers’ expense.

Linda Brachio, Croydon

If the old British Rail had received the financial support now given to the private operating companies we should have a ‘gold plated’ up-to-date railway system.

Barry Kay, Chesterfield

And the bacon sandwiches!

Colin Foxton, Northallerton

I’m fed up with poor service and news that shareholders get paid huge dividends.

Peter Gearing, Edenbridge

Private organisations don’t always run things better.

Rob Shields, Sunderland

What exactly does this country own? Answers on a postage stamp please, if you can afford one.

Irene Jones, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

BR was excellent.

Ethan Lee, Fife

Ex-driver now overhead line electrification manager.

Graeme Holland, Derby

I love Virgin who have the west coast franchise. Their service is excellent – trains comfortable and staff outstanding. However, the rest is a mess.

Hazel Mayamba-Kasongo, Chester

It wouldn’t cost anything to take franchises back into national ownership when they end, saving the government at least £2 billion in subsidies.

David Sterratt

This is another example of politicians giving individuals increased power and influence to the unelected. Why?

Wilson Newbould, Livingston

Why on earth did we ever privatise the rail network? We have the only private network in Europe and it’s the worst run. Stop emulating America. BBBR!

Dale Barnard, Glasgow