Public services such as rail, bus, health etc. should be in public ownership, run on a no-profit basis for the good of the community and not to line the fat cats’ pockets.

Pamela Phelan, Wallasey

Run the railways for the people and not for the benefit and profit of the private railway companies.

Mark Reynolds, London

I bought my train ticket for my regular commute. However, I accidentally bought it for the next day and was then tricked into giving my details for a £100 fine.

Joseph Pitchford, Harrogate

I was born in 1996 so wasn’t there to witness British Rail, but still think it’s a good idea to stop the overpriced complications that we have today.

Bradley Reynolds, Birmingham

Other European countries can run a public rail network which is efficient, safe and economic. We used to have something to be proud of too, but didn’t invest enough in it.

Matthew Edwards, Port Sunlight

Into public ownership

Col Walmsley, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Two private companies have failed with East Coast, yet the government owned set-up returns a profit. East Coast proves the case for nationalisation.

Paul Kerr, Edinburgh

Privatisation of trains has patently not worked.

Annette Lenton, Sussex

If only the amount of money wasted currently had been available to British Rail. We would truly have a world class railway.

John Walton, Kirkby Stephen

More consideration, care and respect for train users. Many of us have no choice but to use the trains. Overly high fare prices and still I have to stand every day.

Ivy Pearson, St Albans

East Coast trains have shown the way. It’s no good saying if it was privatised it would do better. It was tried twice and failed twice. Let’s bring all the network back.

John Spokes, Luton

I use the Northern Rail Huddersfield to Manchester Victoria line. It has an appalling punctuality record, and customer service leaves me frustrated.

Mark Leech, Mossley

The rail network is an essential national asset and part of the country’s infrastructure. It should not be run for profit and shareholders, but for the people of UK.

John Levers, London

Bring back British Rail.

Jennifer Broderick, Lymm

Selling off the assets of British Rail was legalised theft.

Brian Boulton, Bradford

I’m tired of a rubbish and expensive service run mainly by non-British owned companies fleecing the public for profit.

J Spikings, London

The train service needs to be unified and run for the people not for private profit. I’m fed up with the varied levels of service between train companies.

Maxwell Lawrence, Redhill

We lost a chunk of Britain when the small railway lines and stations were closed, and then some more when what was left was privatised. Put it all back where it belongs.

Chrissie Keelan, Preston,

I agree that the rail industry is too fragmented and needs to be brought under one public banner.

David Warner, Warrington

This could make such a difference to life for commuters.

Rachel Wight, London

It is so financially obvious (which is very important to this government) that further comment really is not needed. Wake up Labour Party. We all hacked off on this one.

John Hindhaugh, Gateshead

Worst service ever. How they get away with it is a complete joke.

Jay James, Brighton

Re-nationalisation should improve the (practically non-existent) service and make operating the rail system more efficient. It’s an absolute disgrace at present.

Vera Kempe, Stonehaven

The fair from Crawley to London is £35, for a distance of only 30 miles. This is unacceptable.

Jack Coleman, Crawley

Who would have thought such a run-down organisation could be preferred to the farce we have now?

Deb Davy, Doncaster

I’m not a regular passenger, but have always been against all privatisations of public entities.

John Newton, Cambridge

Yes, I quite agree, privatisation is a dirty word.

Jean O’Donnell, Bury

It is more than time to end this absolute shambles that gives us the worst and most expensive railways in Western Europe.

Iain Wordsworth, Sheffield

Privatisation has not improved efficiency, cost, or performance. It has in fact made all these things worse and made life unnecessarily complicated

Lindsay Gutteridge, Chesterfield