It’s completely obvious that railway privatisation is a failure. The only train journey I have enjoyed was on an East Coast train, when it was run by the government.

Clare Annand, Dunstable

Returning our railways to national ownership is the only safe way to provide a good train service for everyone.

Jenny Haylock, Brighton

The train is my favourite form of transport but now I’m retired train travel is a luxury that is becoming one I cannot afford.

Linda Ringrose, Nottingham

State-owned, not for profit, but for service.

Ben Millington, Widnes

East Coast is a good example.

Roger Greeff, Sheffield

Having shareholders creaming off huge amounts of taxpayers’ money never makes anything more efficient or cheaper. This is a lie which the public falls for time and again.

Rod Siddall, Sheffield

I hardly ever travel by train as it’s too expensive. When I do there have been all manner of delays and breakdowns and filthy toilets.

Carol Tanner, Penzance

Stop the fares rip-off.

Jason Leyton, London

Keep up the good work. Let’s have a railway to be proud of.

Brian Hawkins, Eastwood

I worked for British Rail and took great pride in this, as did all of my colleagues. When it was privatised I left my job. British Rail was stolen from the people.

Cate Murray, Kirkcudbright

Private companies shouldn’t be profiting from public services.

Anne Lawrie, Wellingborough

Bring back a service that puts passengers before profits. Let’s build a British Rail to be proud of.

Kenny Leonard, Hockley

The awful privatised railways are ours. Please give them back to us.

David White, Hull

Re-nationalise not just the railways, but the electricity, gas and water suppliers as well.

Steve Goodman, Wellingborough

The railway should be for people not for profit.

Matthew Boynton, Coventry

Privatisation of the rail network has led to hugely increased fares and shoddy maintenance, as the only thing that matters to them is profit.

Sheila Lamb, Tewkesbury

Railways should be a public service. Period.

Geo. Meadows, Kidderminster

It is impossible to create real competition along railway lines. Instead you hand a natural monopoly to a private provider who then extorts the public.

Sulaiman Durrai, London

It makes total sense – if this were a political party I’d vote for them.

Carolyn Ehret, Leeds

Travelling by train is expensive and often difficult to arrange. Bring back British Rail.

Marguerite Hegley, Lancaster

If it ain’t broke don’t mend it.

Sarah Linton, Rochester

I would like to see our great British rail network back in the hands of the people. All the other private companies have failed. Prices are ridiculously high and unfair.

Chris Helme, York

Bring back British Rail.

Francis Derek Boyle, Manchester

Northern Rail – what a rip off.

Anthony Webster, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Nationalisation is the only viable option to secure the future of the UK railways.

Chris Roberts, Southampton

People, not profit.

John Walker, Bradford

We need to bring back British Rail properly with an integrated public travel system like they have in Switzerland.

Paul Bright

A confusing plethora of train companies and fares which does little for the customer.

Meg Gain, Stratford-upon-Avon

I worked for BR and we paid little subsidy compared to the billions we pay now. Fares are scandalous. The poor taxpayer pays the cost of high fares and huge subsidies.

Desmond Forde, Fareham