The privatisation was a mistake in the first place. Railways are for people, not investors.

David Solomons, Sale

I’m sick of the cost of train tickets.

David Ellershaw, High Bentham

Unreliable service is ruining the quality of my family life. To consistently have trains from Victoria to Hove cancelled is appalling.

Catol Kirkman, Hove

It’s disgusting how they let these private companies run riot on fares. We should be able to jump on a train on the day at similar costs to the rest of mainland Europe.

Chester Reed, Newton Aycliffe

The privatisation of BR is an example for these of the Austrian Federal Railways (OBB), which brings a lot of problems.

Gottfried Brunner, Vienna

I used to be proud of our railways as were my uncles who were train drivers.

Cathie Thomson, Manchester

All parts of our national infrastructure, including the railways, should belong to the nation, not private companies.

Ian Stalker, Ripon

Most of my journeys I have to use different companies, and each wants to charge me the most they possibly can.

Joshua Ost, Chester

Privatisation has failed. Poor service poor value – need I say more! Also as an example East Coast mainline was fantastic last time it was put back under state control.

Tania Tucker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

As soon as possible.

Tom Lovelock, London

It should never have been privatised. We need transport that is cheap and reliable so that people can be less reliant on their cars.

Jane Herbert, Chelmsford

I heard about this from Josie Long’s cartoon in the 09/05/2015 Guardian Guide. Go re-nationalisation.

Tom Mawby, London

Make the service a proper one for passengers and not just for shareholders. Also, please never call us customers.

Emma Anthony, Oxford

OK to do this, but I want to see high standards – not sloppy the way it used to be.

Edith Howse, Prudhoe

All utilities needed by the nation should be owned by the nation and run for the nation, not for profit.

Steve Beesley, Leeds

Most European rail networks are nationalised or heavily subsidised. Our railways do not compare in any aspect of quality and are the most expensive.

Angela Williams, Letchworth

There are a few things I believe should not be subject to market forces, shareholder interests etc.

Nick Packer, Glasgow

Privatisation has raised the prices to fill private pockets, while we suffer poorer transport links and old carriages!

David Kazwini, Hitchin

Railways should be run for people, not for profit.

Annette Lillig, Edinburgh

Public transport should not be operated for profit. Take a leaf out of our European neighbours’ book and put train travel back in the public domain. It works.

Steve Davies, Romford

Yes, there where issues with BR, but they were trying to improve the service and, after the hugely popular InterCity 125, things were turning round but then randomly sold off.

Alex Lewis, Wales

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

Peter Gearing, Edenbridge

The service is run for private profit. The transport system is vital for environmental purposes as well as the needs of the public.

Tom Pitman, Cardiff

Private companies will never give us a proper 21st century railway system. This is a national strategic and economic asset, while private is short-term profit-obsessed only.

P J Casey, Nelson

The highest prices and worst service in Western Europe. It’s time for a change now.

Warren Sherwin, Bolton

Bring back British Rail.

Christopher Tyre, Troon

It is absurd that a public service is in the hands of those whose sole interest is their own profit.

Maria Dolores Moreno Manzano, London

This is an abuse of the original privatisation. Stop this amount of money going from the public sector to private company profits. Bring back British Rail.

Neville Redvers-Higgins, Tring

One of the very worst privatisations. It makes no economic sense from either side of the political divide. Make public transport something to be proud of again.

Aaron Bliss, Oxfordshire