SEVEN in 10 people think savings from renationalising rail firms should only be used to cut fares or open new services, a poll by We Own It has found.

Most said that they would be more likely to travel by rail if fares were reduced, with almost six in 10 telling the Survation survey that public ownership should involve passenger representatives on the board of Great British Railways (GBR).

With more than half of train-operating companies now in public ownership, the campaign group and supporting MPs have said that fare cuts will create a “virtuous circle” in the railway.

We Own It lead campaigner Johnbosco Nwogbo said: “The publicly owned railway is the vehicle for economic growth the government has been looking for, and it can be their number one tool for fighting the climate crisis as well.”

The decision was welcomed by rail union RMT, with general secretary Eddie Dempsey saying: “This is a welcome poll and shows the potential of what public ownership can deliver for rail workers and passengers.

“If we are to fulfil our environmental obligations and encourage people to take the train and leave their cars at home, then rail fares must be affordable.

“Affordable rail fares coupled with public ownership can create a real buy in for passengers where you have an increase in use and more revenue which can be reinvested into improving services.”

The group is working with MPs Chris Hinchliff, Richard Quigley, Steve Witherden and Sian Berry on amendments to the government’s Railways Bill to secure fare cuts for passengers, end private rolling stock, create a stronger role for passengers in GBR and open rail services in underserved areas.

Mr Hinchliff said: “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to prove that public ownership works — that Labour values really do put more money in people’s pockets.”

Mr Witherden added: “Railway privatisation has proven to be a colossal failure, which the government is addressing with the creation of GBR.”

Mr Quigley vowed to continue “to champion any measures that ensure that the public are put first so we never face the rail situation we did under the Tories.”

And Ms Berry urged ministers to “fill the gap in its rail reform plans and bring rolling stock into public ownership too.”

A spokesman for train drivers’ union Aslef said: “We believe that public transport — not just the railway — should be affordable. It’s a public service, at the heart of the British economy, which keeps the country moving … quite literally.

“We move people and goods around the country in a clean, green, and efficient manner. That’s why we have always argued that fares should be affordable.”

The Department for Transport was contacted for comment.