It’s quite simple. They should never have been sold off as they belong to the people.

Sheila English, Newport

I agree that we need a unified national (and international) railway run to serve the people for the good of the nation, not a fragmented over-complex for-profit system.

Graham Coult, London

It’s a mad enough world without making travelling so complicated.

Sarah Gee, Teesside

Franchising services to First, South West Trains and other companies is totally pointless and costly.

M Godwin, Bath

The prime job of government should be the provision of national education, health, transport systems – then policing and national security.

Ben Mantle, Cambridge

We want our trains powered by glorious Rolls Royce engines and new modernised Class 42s to be introduced.

Clare Wood, Inverness

Just getting rid of London Midland would be an improvement.

Claire Richards

Privatisation has failed. Neoliberalism has failed.

Simon Williams, Sutton

Privatisation was never good for service users. It’s time to admit it was big mistake.

Anne Diamond, Sutton Coldfield,

When it’s more often than not cheaper to fly or get a coach from south to north England you know there’s a problem with the railway system.

Nancy Smith, Ipswich

Bring back nationalisation to reduce fares and generate more revenue for the Country.

Steve Hardy, Rhyl

It’s disgusting what the rail system has become. It’s got to a stage where public transport is squeezing the public, for whom the prices are ridiculous for such poor service

Simon Cullen, Sudbury

The railways should be available to everyone, and serve every part of the country. They should not be another way for a handful of already rich people to get even richer.

Elizabeth Cleere, Rye

They should never have been privatised in the first place.

Thomas Edwin Eddleston, Oldham

Because rail travel should be cheaper than travelling alone in a car.

Tamora Burn, Plymouth

Bring back public owned British Rail.

Andrew Lee, Salisbury

The railway needs to operates as a unified mass transit system with adequate trains, staff and reasonable fares. I’m fed up with being ripped off by fat cats.

Mark Matthews, Northampton

Privatised railways cost us more than when they were in public ownership and we see no profits.

Angela Banks, York

I am a frequent user of rail transport and can’t believe the overall poor quality for the cost of the service, compared to other countries.

Paul Morgans, Bakewell

It worked better before, quite simply.

Susan Cox, London

I remember when I could afford to ride a train.

John Persey, Winscombe

Transport for the nation, not for private profit.

Garry Blackmore, Bradford

I have nothing to add that isn’t obvious and said already.

Michael Morrison, Chelmsford

Privatised rail services don’t do the public any favours.

Anne Fallon, London

If BR reduces prices and doesn’t make me sit on my luggage from Leeds to London I might use trains again rather than National Express buses.

Jean Mertzanakis, Leeds

Transport is one of the lifelines creating a better, more equitable and connected society. It should not be run for private profit.

Katie Faddy, Winchester

Re-nationalise the railways. Renew East Coast’s contract to continue running that service in the interests of the people of this country.

Carmel Cadden, London

The East Coast line is the most efficient in Britain, and publicly-run rail in France and Belgium is cheaper and far more efficient than privatised rail in the UK.

Graham Johnson, Nottingham

Strikes wouldn’t have been allowed when the railways were owned in the public sector.

Neil Spowart, Wellingborough