Your recent report on Sussex train passengers enduring the worst delays in the country provides more evidence of the misery affecting Brighton commuters (The Argus, February 27).

Along with overcrowding and unreliable services, we have had to put up with the severe delays and cancellations caused by the storms and floods this winter.

Of course, those who run our railways aren’t to blame for extreme weather, but they do have a responsibility to put passengers first by ensuring services are more resilient.

Earlier this month I met with Network Rail to discuss their response to the floods and call for increased capacity on the Brighton to London mainline. They assured me they are taking action to minimise disruption in future.

However, the bigger picture is that until train companies and politicains alike put passengers – not private interests – first, things aren’t going to get much better. It’s time to accept that privatisation has been a massive failure. By bringing our railways back into public hands, the country could save £1 billion a year – money which could and should be used to improve services and reduce fares for passengers in Brighton and across the country.

My Bill to make that happen is due its second reading in Parliament soon. From talking to commuters at Brighton station I know it has a lot of support locally. I hope other politicians can get behind it too.

Caroline Lucas MP, Brighton Pavilion