The Updated Identity for Great British Railways is Announced.
The Transport Department has disclosed the branding for Great British Railways, marking a significant step in its strategy to take the railways under nationalisation.
An Patriotic Design and Historic Emblem
The new branding features a Union Flag-inspired design to echo the national flag and will be used on rolling stock, at railway stations, and across its website and app.
Significantly, the symbol is the iconic twin-arrow logo historically used by National Rail and originally created in the 1960s for the former state operator.
A Rollout Timeline
The implementation of the branding, which was created by the department, is set to occur over time.
Passengers are scheduled to begin seeing the newly-branded services across the national network from spring next year.
During December, the branding will be exhibited at key railway stations, including Leeds City.
The Journey to Renationalisation
The Railways Bill, which will allow the creation of GBR, is currently moving through the legislative process.
The government has stated it is renationalising the railways so the service is "run by the passengers, working for the passengers, not for profit."
Great British Railways will unify the operation of passenger trains and tracks and signals under a single organisation.
The government has claimed it will unify seventeen various bodies and "reduce the problematic bureaucracy and poor accountability that hinders the railways."
App-Based Features and Existing Public Control
The rollout of GBR will also feature a dedicated mobile application, which will let passengers to view train times and purchase journeys free from surcharges.
Passengers with disabilities passengers will also be able to use the app to request help.
Multiple operators had already been taken into public control under the former government, such as Northern.
There are currently seven train operators already in public hands, covering about a one-third of rail travel.
In the past year, c2c have been brought into public ownership, with further franchises expected to be added in the coming years.
Official and Sector Reaction
"The new design isn't just a new logo," stated the relevant minister. It symbolises "a transformed service, casting off the issues of the previous system and dedicated entirely on offering a reliable service for the public."
Rail leaders have welcomed the government's commitment to improving services.
"The industry will carry on to cooperate with relevant bodies to ensure a seamless handover to the new system," a representative noted.
