🔗 Share this article

The Transport Department has disclosed the logo and livery for the new national rail body, constituting a key stride in its policy to bring the railways under public control.

A Patriotic Design and Iconic Logo

The new design features a Union Flag-inspired colour scheme to mirror the UK flag and will be applied on GBR trains, at railway stations, and across its digital platforms.

Significantly, the emblem is the recognisable double-arrow symbol currently used by the national rail network and first introduced in the 1960s for the former state operator.

The Introduction Strategy

The implementation of the design, which was created by the department, is expected to occur over time.

Passengers are set to start noticing the newly-branded trains across the national network from the coming spring.

In December, the design will be exhibited at prominent railway stations, including Glasgow Central.

The Path to Renationalisation

The proposed law, which will pave the way the establishment of GBR, is presently making its way through the legislative process.

The government has argued it is renationalising the railways so the network is "run by the public, delivering for the passengers, not for private shareholders."

Great British Railways will unify the running of train services and infrastructure under a single organisation.

The government has said it will unify seventeen different entities and "cut through the notorious red tape and accountability gap that hinders the railways."

Digital Features and Existing Public Control

The launch of GBR will also involve a new app, which will enable passengers to view train times and purchase tickets absent additional fees.

Accessibility travellers will also be able to use the application to arrange assistance.

Multiple train companies had earlier been taken into public control under the previous government, such as Southeastern.

There are currently 7 operating companies already in public control, covering about a one-third of journeys.

In the past year, c2c have been nationalised, with additional operators expected to follow in the coming years.

Official and Industry Reaction

"The new design isn't just a cosmetic change," said the relevant minister. It represents "a new railway, casting off the problems of the previous system and focused solely on offering a genuine public service."

Rail figures have welcomed the focus to enhancing the passenger experience.

"The industry will continue to collaborate with relevant bodies to ensure a seamless handover to GBR," a senior figure added.