I run walks outside of London. Weekly I buy return Group Tickets at mainline stations run by 9 different franchises, all operating differently. What a nightmare.

Chris Queen, London

Yes, it definitely needs to be brought back.

Helen Taylor, Bridgend

My husband worked at the carriage works all his life, then had to travel to Wakefield and Slade to keep a job he loved.

Diane Clark, Selby

Public service should not be in private hands.

Dick Norton, Cupar

When British Rail was in existence the price of a journey was set. 1st and 2nd class. Now it is a muddle and many different fares depending on when you book. Not good.

Margaret Al-Rekabi, Nottingham

It is time to bring back the railways and put profit back into the economy instead if it going into fat cat pockets.

Peter Schofield, Barnsley

Re-nationalise.

David Webb, Oldham

All utilities, mail etc. education, services, transport should be apolitical and not run for private profit.

Antony Hearmon, London

If private enterprise can/will not run Railtrack/Network Rail, why should it operate the profit-making parts and hold fare-payers to ransom for an essential service?

Richard Gillanders, London

Our fragmented rail system is ludicrously expensive to run and with so many parties involved, only interested in profit, strategic planning is well nigh impossible.

John Webster, Balerno

British Rail, while in public ownership, not only ran a better, cheaper service but it also cost the tax payer less than the private rail companies.

Ian Wilson, Mexborough

Agreed: we need a proper workable rail network asap…

Helen Perks, Kidderminster

Train fares are obscene. Privatisation clearly isn’t working.

Viv Shilton, Tamworth

Re-nationalise now.

Fernando Hernandez, London

The prices are far too high, with private companies only interested in profit for the shareholders.

Derek Chapman, Frome

Privatisation puts profit before performance. Privatising organisations is why this country is such an undesirable place to be. Bring back nationalisation.

Conor Tomlinson, Bolton

The return of British Rail will see profits repaid to the Chancellor, not to private shareholders.

John Morris, Chatham

Railways should be public transport, not private enterprise.

Charles Knight, Cambridge

As a teen, I wanted to work for British Rail as a public service which was environmentally sound. That chance was stolen from me by the Tories.

Amanda Ure, Leicester

A railway network based on service not profit. I want a truly inclusive rail service so the average citizen can travel at a reasonable price.

Rik Manning, Stroud

A complete and utter shambles caused by incompetent and corrupt politicians.

Stephen Riley, Cleveland

Too expensive on the trains. Bring back British Rail.

Jo Hobson, Sheffield

I used to be able to board a train at Oxenholme and go through to Totnes or Penzance. Now I have to haul my luggage off at Birmingham New St. and change. I hate this.

Gillian Kelly, Ambleside

Season ticket costs are unsustainable – complete 21st Century re-think of UK railways NFP funding model required.

Neville Redvers-Mutton, Ramsgate

How can a return ticket with one change be more expensive than the same journey broken up into four journeys?

Andrew Strong, Llandrindod Wells

Can we have normal fares, instead of being ripped off by private companies?

Paul Burrows, West Wickham

It’s too expensive to travel on trains anymore. We need it back in the public hands.

Marie Hitchen, Walsall

The UK’s rail network shouldn’t be subservient to shareholders’ interests and fares should be reasonable for all.

John Phantis, Bath

The subsidies that the government continues to have to pay to the private sector to run the railways is the real reason that privatisation is not working.

R C Bourget, Slough

Just look at the East Coast line, and also note that, when foreign companies take over our public services, they’re usually state-owned companies.

Tony Brauer, Jordans