As well as the high fares and fragmented network, it is the sheer inefficiency and cost of privatisation that annoys me.

David Sterratt

I’m voting Green Party to try to make this happen.

Monica Cassidy, Portsmouth

What a ridiculous system we have for running our railways. It’s time for the railways to be taken back into public ownership.

Ben Eldridge, Epsom

If we don’t own it, we can’t improve it.

Jon Keen, Hull

The privatisation of our railways was designed to allow ‘foreign state run’ railways to bid to run our franchises

Frank Nicholas Adam

My father worked for British Rail from 1947 until 1958 when he was made redundant due to privatisation. He was devastated.

Joan How, Luton

East Coast Line is excellent – all our railways should be run by the country for the country.

Sheena Ratcliffe, Richmond

There was much that wasn’t great about BR when it was nationalised, but the current farrago is unliveable with. Phased re-nationalisation is the only practical option. Carpe.

John Gessler, Barnsley

Late, dangerously crowded trains, rising fares yet no improvements to speak of. We need re-nationalisation.

Kate Ward, Huddersfield

Essential core infrastructure and services should belong to, and run for, the public – not for profiteering.

John Hamilton, Edinburgh

Between some places in the UK it is cheaper to board a flight than catch a train. This is wrong.

Luke Smith

Power to the commuters and not the shareholders. Currently all profits go to shareholders and not back into the railway. It’s so subsidised it might as well be re-nationalised.

Ian Broadbent, Bristol

We would have less need to use the road network if rail fares were cheaper.

Andrew Rowntree, Peterborough

Public ownership is in the people’s best interest to have a system that everyone can depend on.

Joe Meredith, Risca

They should have been brought back years ago.

Robin Banks, London

We should re-nationalise as it is cheaper than state subsidy of private companies who, with a profit motive, will fail the people in providing a good service.

Steven Gibbons, Folkestone

I fondly remember travelling on BR in the early 90’s, and I loved it. I live in New Zealand now, but bringing back British Rail is one reason I am coming home.

Andrew Mulligan, Hamilton, NZ

We need affordable fares and clean trains.

Clare Honey, Norwich

Rail travel has become a cash cow for private companies. Result: a very poor, overpriced, service.

Sheila Barclay, Glasgow

British Rail, though cash-starved, was actually very efficient. Rail costs after privatisation are running at 20% above inflation.

Chris Jones, Letchworth

I’m sick of ticket fare increases going above inflation. I’m not convinced that we benefit from privatisation. Profit should go into infrastructure and not into private hands.

Jason Sawford, Milton Keynes

We need a railway fit for the future. Privatisation is the only way.

Stephen Freeman, Sheffield

Privatisation has done the opposite of what was intended – to save public expenditure. How many times have franchises been bailed out at taxpayers’ expense?

Simon Kempthorne, Hastings

The service is a disgrace and a waste of tax-payers’ money.

Wayne Lamming, Scunthorpe

Railways should be run to benefit the customers, not multinationals looking for a profit.

Liz Gwynne, Runcorn

Public services should never be privatised.

David Batten, Coventry

I’m sick of paying ridiculously high fares and having to tolerate consistently poor service.

Justin Cole, Warwick

Privatisation only works for shareholders, not passengers. Bring back BR.

Maryvonne Lumley, London

Our grandparents laid the foundations for the railway so it belongs to the people and we want it back.

Donna Johnson, Bournemouth