A botched and malicious idea from its inception. Railways of this country should be owned by the state and run for the benefit of all. There should be a public debate.

Michael Ward, Nottingham

I live on a branch line that was cut under Beeching but could easily be brought back as it still exists. Bring back BR!

Oliver Robinson, Lydd

The current set-up is a farce, over-priced, difficult to use and set up only for the benefit of the shareholders.

Neil Cameron-Rollo, Clare

British Rail was never the best railway system in the world but it was a whole world better than the profit scamming bastards who run our regional railways now.

Andrew Thomas, Alfreton

Re-nationalise and reopen more stations.

Paul Malone, Storrington

I had the privilege of working for British Rail with highly professional people who were proud of their Railway. I also had the displeasure of working for Railtrack.

Nick Bailey, York

Please bring back BR.

Gill Boden, Cardiff

We have been ripped off for two decades by rail privatisation. We fund it, we should own it.

John Plumm, Harrogate

I would like to see this happen but under this so-called rubbish government it will not happen.

Michael Bell, Tyne and Wear

Privatisation equals false competition without choice but plenty of complication for customers.

Antony Drawmer, Birmingham

It makes sense.

Eric Sargeant, Derby

Run the railways for the benefit of society, not for the benefit of the wealthy shareholders.

Keith Riley, Southampton

They should never have been re-privatised. Failure was why it was nationalised in the first place. Every other country in Europe has a great railway system.

Terence Thomson, Llansawel

British Rail is an infrastructure for the people, not a series of money-making businesses for profit.

Robin Blincowe, Leeds

I travel once a week in Cornwall and every journey has been late by more than one hour except on one occasion in the last 6 weeks. How could it be worse?

June Bertram, Truro

Trains are a public transport not a private one.

Alex Southern, Nottingham

Incompetent politicians have turned a public service into a public liability.

Mike Macsorley, Bargoed

Stop wasting everyone’s money and just go back to British Rail. You know it makes sense!

Anthony Bartolo, Gillingham, Kent

I just want to be able to buy a fairly priced ticket on the day I need to travel. I’m fed up with the free market and the madness of advance purchase deals.

Ellie Harrison, Glasgow

All profits should go back into the railway not into private investors’ pockets. Railways should be subsidised and for the people not the wealthy.

Mark Lauri, Reading

The tyranny and the bullshit has gone on too long. I’m tired of paying more for trains than it costs to drive, and so is the environment.

Barney Hallawell, Falmouth

End this madness! Make train prices fair.

James Forber, Warrington

Total support for this. I use the Northeast line a lot. Private sectors failed but it turns a good profit for the taxpayer now that government runs it.

Mike Weaver, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

While not perfect, public transport in Germany is clearly superior to what we have in Britain. I think that speaks for itself.

Cailean Maclennan, Lanarkshire

Re-nationalisation of the railways would be one step on the way to the reclamation of all public services and goods we so direly need.

Conor Mullins, Romford

Back to running for people not profit.

K Sayer, Leamington Spa

Efficient public transport is not a market product for customers to fight over. It is basic requirement of a prosperous and civil society.

Mike Bellion, Sedbergh

Passengers, not customers. Cost not profit.

Simon Tucker, Swindon

Why are the German, French and Dutch state railways allowed to run our railways, yet our own Direct Rail (BR) state railway cannot. It’s crazy.

Edward Shaw, Huddersfield