I am a train driver of thirty years.

Andrew Derrett, Ipswich

A publicly owned railway is cheaper to run for the taxpayers than the private franchises. Incorporating the freight companies into Network Rail will benefit even more.

Tim Gunnery, Congleton

Things are better run in public ownership, transparently and with no profiteering from private companies. Why did we get rid of British Rail?

Andre Bernal, London

It should be publicly owned.

Russell Wilson, Derby

My dad was a train driver all his life before he died in 1987. He would hate the state of the privatised rail system if he could see it.

Andrea Knight, Brighton

We need a single authority that will be responsible for a unified network. This is the only way that customers will be provided with the service they need and deserve.

Edward Hudson, York

I’ve long felt that selling off national assets was a short-term, short-sighted approach which of course benefits private companies more than the British public.

Stuart Legg, Leeds

Nationalised industries provide service while privatised industries only want profits at any cost.

Brian Edge, Holsworthy

Privatisation has no quality. Please bring back BR so that the prices are in control and affordable.

Harish Gottipati, Slough

It is urgent, as many are distressed by its present status.

Andrew Sharpless, Upton-upon-Severn

Bring it back.

John Hoyle, Halifax

Lets have all the train operating companies back under one umbrella, and that is British Rail’s umbrella.

Dave McGough, Leeds

BR was better than we have now, and affordable and reliable. It was fantastic. Bring back BR.

C C, Lincoln

Privatisation has failed miserably.

Matt Mitchell, Exminster

Privatisation was never the right idea.

Jeff Fox, Huddersfield

We had the best rail network in the world. Now some of it needs restoring.

Colin McCathie, Derby

We could do with some of the closed stations opening again in Stoke-on-Trent.

Timothy Barnett, Stoke-on-Trent

Bring back a national public transport system that is for the people and not for private profit.

James Gosney, Wedmore

Our fragmented railways offer a sub-standard expensive service under privatisation which does not benefit the commuter or serve them well. It benefits only shareholders.

Robert Manning, Eastbourne

I’m fed-up with fat cats creaming off profit from what should be a nationalised industry.

Thomas Brewis, Berwick-upon-Tweed

Every ticket is overpriced so no wonder rail travel is decreasing.

Nick East, Stroud

The only way to save the railways and to have a safe and cost-effective transport network.

Ian Oage, Bristol

Think about the travelling public, not shareholders for a change.

Harry Hansen, London

This is extremely important, not only for our economy, but for the people who live in this country. People are unable to see each other due to high travel fares.

Alessandro Marini, Glasgow

The railways can be managed much more efficiently in the public sector. We need an integrated system.

Anne Bundock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Why don’t any of the politicians have the courage to do it? It’s so obvious.

Geof Branch, London

Rail journeys were simple under British Rail. Since privatisation, rail services have become expensive, disjointed, un-reliable and over-crowded. Privatise. No profit.

Andrew Walker, Ashford

Keep up the good work.

Cecil Sowden, Gateshead

I’m fed up with late and cancelled trains – and railcard increases for a deteriorating service.

Del Davies, Kent

No other country in Europe employs the crazy system which we currently have in the UK, with public money supporting private companies whose profits go to shareholders.

Chris Jack, Edinburgh