Staggering tripling of taxpayer subsidy since privatisation, lack of investment (e.g. in electrification), and fares going through the roof. Nationalise now.

John Puntis, Leeds

Our fragmented railways are in a mess – expensive and unreliable. We need a nationalised service where all revenue goes back into the service and not shareholders’ pockets.

Barbara Segal, Bristol

It should never have been privatised in the first place, as should public utilities not have been.

Valerie Pritchard, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Our rail network should be seamless and better regulated for the benefit of the customers, not shareholders.

Rosemary Morgan, Birmingham

We’re passengers, not customers.

Ian Johncock, Gravesend

Please re-nationalise British Rail services.

Katherine Stansfield, Frinton on Sea

We need a railway that is run for the benefit of the people not a few multi millionaires.

Philip Feakin, London

Too much of our railways are state owned – by other European countries! Time to re-nationalise and save ourselves billions of pounds.

Phil Coleman, Swansea

For too long, far too much public-funded subsidy has been given to the privatised rail companies and Network Rail, whilst Margaret Thatcher starved BR. Bring back BR now.

Chris Roffey, London

Save us from these money-hungry men.

Joe Cruise, Chesterfield

Profit before people – look at the awful First service – extortionate and rubbish. Fine for those who can afford it, but the majority of us are being robbed.

Matthew Dawson, Kirkwall

As soon as possible.

Tom Lovelock, London

There has to be a better way to organise our national rail service than as it is now.

Margaret Pitt, London

Stop the fat cats filling their pockets with tax payers’ money. Re-nationalise the railways now.

Michael Knights, London

I think that re-nationalising should be part of any agreement to build the new high speed rail line.

Hilary Strong, Emsworth

Transportation is the lifeblood of the country and commerce. It should be run firstly as a public service and for profit secondly.

Scott Maitland, Sunderland

Fares are high and service low.

Graham Scrivens

I worked for British Rail from 1976. I’m still working in the industry and it’s a wasteful disjointed shambles.

John Hastie, Preston

Re-nationalise the railways. Use the profits to keep fares down, invest in infrastructure and pay decent wages.

Adrian Lobb, Glasgow

Like all things that work better as a monopoly, it should be under common ownership.

Michael Dawson, South Shields

Bring BR back.

Alec Thorne, Bedford

My trains are late at least three times per week. The cost of my ticket is twice that of smaller journeys on non-commuter routes. How is this helping people in jobs?

James Purslow, Bristol

Privatisation of our railways has been a complete and utter failure.

Paul Beattie, Corby

Cash for railways not for profits and shareholders and fat cat directors. We know it makes sense, why doesn’t our government?

Lockhart Murdoch, London

Privatisation has not worked. Re-nationalise all essential industries (not only BR but all energy companies and local transport companies too).

Mark Smith, Leicester

Railways for the people not for profiteers.

C Green, Godalming

Train fares are absolutely excessive, and an order of magnitude higher than in other European countries.

Oisin Macfadden, Bristol

They should never have been split up in the first place. A national, essential service that has gone to the wall.

Daniel Stapley, Folkestone

The railways are getting worse and worse under private ownership.

Tobias Abse, London

I agree the present system is overcomplicated and needs reform. But to put down a marker, I still want ticket offices at major stations.

David Thornewell, Aylesford