Your Views - Bring Back British Rail

Not just popular with Labour core voters, but it would be popular in commuter land.

By 60-20% British people support renationalising the railways so they are responsible to taxpayers not shareholders.

Private train companies are making an average return of 147% on every pound they put into their business, while fares are rising and I can’t afford to travel anymore.

Stephen Wright, London

About bloody time, every rise in rail fares is subsidising profits for these fat cat owners in their own countries. Re-nationalise now.

Don Beattie, Middlesbrough

The sheer confusion of using our transport system makes me ashamed in other countries. The cost of train travel way surpasses travel by car.

Bradley Clark, London

I have fond memories of British Rail in the early 1980’s when my mother used to take me to London on days out. We used to travel from Bristol to London.

Jason Pickering, Stranraer

I am embarrassed by the shambolic services, the prices astronomical and will not encourage car users to leave the road.

Angela Gardner, Manchester

A publicly owned East Coast Line shows how a rail service can make money for the nation and not for the few.

Shaun Reid, South Shields

Rail services are already subsidised by the taxpayer. Let’s cut out the middleman; the one that is making the profit.

Alex Wood, London

Take it out of the hands of profiteers.

John Perkins, London

It should never have left public ownership in the first place.

Michael Neal, King’s Lynn

In my trainspotting days it was British Railways. Why stop at Rail?

Bill Peter, Aberfeldy

We need ownership for the common good for something as essential as travel.

Philip Snaith, Llanelli

Privatising the rail network has left the UK in the doldrums. The nationalised networks across Europe and elsewhere have nearly doubled intercity speeds.

Richard Hillier, London

We need to bring the railways back into public ownership rather than giving money to private (and mostly foreign) companies.

David Black, Harrogate

You know it makes sense.

Corporal Ward, Bridgend

I remember the old BR which was a lot better than the service we have now, as it’s very confusing (different tickets etc.) trains are late and more expensive.

Doug Bate, Essex

Public transport should not be run for profit. It is a basic right that should be affordable for all.

Brian Jordan, Stockport

Bring it back but make it the John Lewis method, where everyone is equal.

Fraser Henderson, London

Sense should prevail, not greedy governments lining the pockets of their own. It just beggars belief that we had a zero balance when it was sold off.

Rona Hendry, Peterborough

With prices far higher in the UK than in the rest of Europe, bringing back BR is one of the best things to do. The railway should be for people, not shareholders’ profits.

Kenneth Raistrick, Manchester