Padda Brewster, Wolverhamptonit was run better when it was BR.
Linda Poulter, LeedsThe railways should be owned by us and any profits reinvested into upgrading the system.
Lorna Robertson, SurreyAn essential service should not be run for profit but as a service.
Leslie Buck, SeahamBring life back into the railways. I was employed by BR from 1977 and retired from Network Rail in 2012, from signaller, station supervisor then MOM 1991 to 2012.
David Robinson, DewsburyRailways should be run as non-profit-making.
Richard Chappell, WalsallThe days of the Big Four are gone. We need a well run and managed national transport system as seen in other European countries.
Brian Warren, Butler, Pa. USAWhat a shame that it has come to this – Britain led the world with its railways. The Edwardian era was the pinnacle of its glory. Visit the National Railway Museum in York.
Robert Powell, Stockton-on-TeesStop rail companies avoiding tax here while shipping rail profits and taxpayer subsidies abroad. East Coast line is a great example of what public ownership can do.
John Main, LondonIf privatisation is so successful why do they rely on subsidies to keep their shareholders happy?
Joseph Till, LondonThere would be less of a north/south divide if people could afford to visit other areas in the UK. It will benefit all communities across the nation.
Robert Maidment-Wilson, DroitwichThe privatised, disjointed and dysfunctional railway is costing us billions. Just think how good BR could have been if all that money had been invested in it.
Anne Harrison, LondonWhat a bizarre system we have in UK when our privatised system is providing profits for the publicly-owned nationalised systems of our European neighbours such as SNCF.
John Wilson, CambridgeshireWe used to have an easy to understand railway system with a sensible ticketing structure.
Rosie Roberts, EastbourneOutrage.
Nigel Lightowler, YorkKeep the East Coast mainline out of private hands.
Michael Brackenbury, ElyMajor’s railway rip-off was made in a hurry to provide his backers with juicy public assets before the Tories went into their Long Good Night. It’s time to take them back.
Steve Allen, SheffieldJust make it public.
James Kirk, BirminghamIncrease after increase after increase and we are left with a sub-par service where only the rich owners benefit.
Gordon Seaman, HavantGet rid of the foreign investors, and use the money we give to despots in other countries to run it.
George Tuck, GatesheadLike may privatised national assets, the service went down and prices up to satisfy the fat cats and to hell with customers.
Elizabeth Connell, BristolEssential services should not be run for the profit of the few. All profits should be used to keep fares as low as possible and to maintain the network.
John Harrison, LeedsThe privatisation left us in a worse state with little investment and a network not fit for purpose.
Valerie Campbell, GosportTake away control from the people who have assumed too much control and give it back to the people who have earned it.
Sharron Tootell, PenworthamStop subsidising train operating companies and invest in an integrated rail system, not this disjointed farce.
Roger Weston, DurhamThe currently public owned East Coast line can make a profit and run more or less decently so why can’t the privately owned ones?
Elizabeth Clark, PeterboroughAlso bring back some of the many lost stations. Reduce individual cars on the road and more railways for everyone.
Barry Ould, AylesburyI’m disgusted at today’s news about Virgin and Stagecoach, getting the East Coast franchise.
Terence Bly, LondonFollow the example of the East Coast line, in public hands and profitable.
Denis Thomson, OtleySurely the success of the East Coast mainline since the demise of the franchise proves the point.
Lorna Cameron, LeedsLet’s go back to British Rail and reclaim rail services for the British public now.