🔗 Share this article

The government has introduced the branding for Great British Railways, signifying a major advance in its strategy to bring the railways into public ownership.

A Patriotic Palette and Iconic Logo

The new design showcases a patriotic design to represent the UK flag and will be applied on GBR trains, at stations, and across its digital platforms.

Significantly, the symbol is the recognisable twin-arrow design currently used by National Rail and previously introduced in the mid-20th century for British Rail.

A Implementation Plan

The phased introduction of the new look, which was developed in-house, is scheduled to happen in phases.

Passengers are set to start spotting the newly-branded services across the network from spring next year.

During the month of December, the design will be exhibited at key stations, like Birmingham New Street.

A Path to Renationalisation

The Railways Bill, which will allow the establishment of GBR, is currently progressing through the Parliament.

The government has argued it is bringing back into public ownership the railways so the service is "owned by the passengers, operating for the people, not for corporate interests."

GBR will bring the running of train services and tracks and signals under one umbrella body.

The department has claimed it will merge seventeen different bodies and "reduce the problematic red tape and poor accountability that has long affected the railways."

Digital Services and Existing Public Control

The rollout of GBR will also feature a dedicated app, which will allow passengers to see train times and purchase journeys free from booking fees.

Disabled travellers will also be able to use the app to book help.

Several train companies had previously been taken into public control under the outgoing administration, such as Northern.

There are currently 7 operating companies already in public hands, accounting for about a one-third of journeys.

In the past year, Greater Anglia have been brought into public ownership, with more expected to follow in the coming years.

Official and Sector Response

"This is more than a cosmetic change," commented the Transport Secretary. It represents "a transformed service, leaving behind the problems of the past and concentrated completely on offering a genuine passenger-focused service."

Rail figures have welcomed the government's commitment to bettering services.

"We will continue to work closely with relevant bodies to ensure a successful changeover to Great British Railways," one executive added.