A re-unified national rail network could lead to greater efficiency and a less complex pricing system.

Joan Vickers, Darlington

Will a mainstream party have common sense enough to adopt this policy? Why are they so scared?

S Read, York

The privatisation of BR has brought no benefits, high fares, and still the public subsidise the service to a higher level than when it was in public ownership.

Richard Ineson, Whitby

The rail fares are ridiculous and should be much more cost-effective.

Jill Coleman, Middlesbrough

The last few times I used a train to Cardiff from Pyle it was standing room only. I travel by car now.

Leonora Matthews, Bridgend

Travellers from abroad criticise our rail system far too regularly for us to tolerate the current structure.

Charles Lockwood, Newark

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

Worst service ever. How they get away with it is a complete joke.

Jay James, Brighton

I rode British Rail for years visiting the UK. It was wonderful. This is a travesty and you should be ashamed.

Sharon Davis Green, USA

I want to travel by train as it’s more relaxing and safer. I can work and it produces low emissions, but the high price of tickets prevents me from doing the right thing.

Scott Herrett, Edinburgh

Our transport system is too important to be left in the hands of numerous disparate companies whose only loyalty is to their shareholders.

Gordon Anderson, Aberdeen

We need a more accountable, responsible and efficient version of the old British Rail.

Christopher Madden

I believe the way forward is to start up a cooperative of unions, commuters and other interested parties to bid for franchises when they come up for renewal.

Edmund Chinnery

The current system just isn’t working – except for shareholders.

Terry Stockman, Sidcup

Privatised rail has only made travel more expensive for both the government and for travellers and we still lag behind the rest of Europe in performance.

Zaic Holbrook, Edinburgh

Nationalise British Rail.

Andrew Wilkes, Cardiff

Even though I’m a Conservative, I think that it would be right if British Rail came back into being, the whole thing is a mess and it won’t end well.

Alex Wilson, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Having to pay £600 a month just to get to work is ludicrous. It needs to change.

Sarah Attree, Worth

The Post Office too while you’re at it.

Sarah Kay, London

We have to do something. The way the railway is run now is a total shambles.

David Hardy, Chester le Street

Major infrastructure components such as all of the rail network should be nationally owned and operated.

Andrew Moore, Enfield

Keep up the good work.

Dave Spooner, York

As a former British Rail employee, I see the worst mistake ever was to privatise British Rail.

Graeme Ritchie, Cupar

Public transport is as it says for the public and as such should be owned by the public.

Paul Smith, Leicester

We need an end to a disjointed transport system, starting with the railways then the buses.

Terence Mullen, Manchester

Cross Country Trains are a disgrace. The country urgently needs new rolling stock, even countries like Georgia can buy sparkly spacious Swiss trains.

Lynne Jackson, Hinckley

As a former employee of British Rail, I’d love it to be back in public ownership. Maybe then people would feel safe on the trains! As a disabled person, I currently don’t.

Heather Pugh, Edinburgh

HS2 plus high ticket costs prohibit train travel by a large, poorer section of our society and therefore inhibits jobs and prosperity.

Christopher Smith, Coventry

Good work for re-instating a vital service that should serve us not shareholders.

Adam Hiley, Upminster