I wouldn’t go back to the old British Rail, but East Coast demonstrates how a not-for-profit company can still deliver good service and value for taxpayers.

Ian Halsall, Bath

Make fares fair again.

Sam Roberts, London

There are some things too important to be privatised. Cheap and reliable public transport is one of them.

Lauren Healey, Newcastle

Privatisation just means fat cats, whilst commuters suffer to get to work.

Martin Mitchell, Bradford

It makes commercial sense.

Douglas Hill, Williton

All utilities should be run on a non-profit basis. Stop this gravy train for people who have more money than they know what to do with.

Anne Callaghan, Blantyre

BR is stolen property.

Mark Balgarnie, Colchester

Civilised societies run transport, health, education etc. as services, not opportunities for private profit.

Rebecca Michel, Exeter

I believe we should take the key utilities and infrastructure back into public ownership.

Ben Moore, Alnwick

This was one of the great British institutions. It literally united the country.

Phil McFadden, Pembroke Dock

Private companies do an awful job for double the price. Make it public.

Claire Eve, Brighton

People don’t want to see the true cost of privatisation. They have heads buried in the sand.

Paul Ross, Letchworth

Lets take back our trains and make them work for us, not private companies.

Deb Tetley, Leeds

It seems like this privatisation was completed using the worst of the umpteen awful schemes thought of at the time. It costs the taxpayer more now than it ever did.

Ken Jones, Bicester

Re-nationalisation is the right step for all possible reasons.

Jonathan Ash, St Albans

Stop profiteers making a packet out of ordinary people.

Greg Marshall, Nottingham

I hate the privatisation of public services.

William Holyday, London

Britain needs an economic, efficient, clean, staffed, train service with plenty of no smoking signs, litter bins, no alcohol signs, no feet on seats signs.

Caroline Hutchings, Kingston-upon-Thames

Give up this capitalistic idea that the network runs better under private ownership. It’s a joke – overpriced and underinvested.

Lee Stevens, Portsmouth

National infrastructure: national ownership.

Chris Haynes, Evesham

The East Coast Service is proof that British Rail can be brought back cheaper and more efficient than in the old days.

Dennis Exley, Barnsley

Bring back British Rail.

James Scott, Hull

This company has ruined my life. No words can describe the pain I have been through including my wife’s 40th ruined.

Scott Berman, Chelmsford

My dream from when I was in my 20’s was to see Britain by rail — as it had the best railroad system in the World. I hope to still do that some day. Please de-privatise.

Naomi Durkin, Cortlandt Manor, New York

The Great Train Robbery – the British privatised rail network.

Katie Goodwin, Tadley

We must rebuild our country’s economy and to do this we need a fully integrated and affordable public transport system centred on the British railways.

Paul Bright

Decent transport and good service for everyone, not profit for the few is essential for a decent society.

Catherine Leach, Birmingham

Please keep our rail network British and invest.

Toby Starr, Crawley

Bring back British Rail.

Phil Sherwin, London

I am in favour of a nationalised rail service provided it will not become top heavy with an army of unnecessary and obscenely overpaid management structure like before.

Michael Nurse, Tonbridge