A Fresh Identity for GBR is Unveiled.
The Transport Department has unveiled the visual identity for the new national rail body, constituting a major advance in its plans to take the railways into public ownership.
An National Design and Historic Emblem
The fresh design uses a Union Flag-inspired colour scheme to represent the national flag and will be applied on GBR trains, at stations, and across its digital platforms.
Significantly, the logo is the well-known double-arrow symbol presently used by the national rail network and originally designed in the mid-20th century for British Rail.
The Rollout Timeline
The rollout of the design, which was developed by the department, is scheduled to happen gradually.
Commuters are set to start seeing the newly-branded trains across the network from spring next year.
In December, the branding will be displayed at key stations, like Leeds City.
A Journey to Nationalisation
The proposed law, which will allow the establishment of GBR, is currently making its way through the House of Commons.
The government has said it is renationalising the railways so the service is "run by the people, working for the passengers, not for profit."
Great British Railways will consolidate the running of train services and infrastructure under one umbrella body.
The government has claimed it will combine seventeen various entities and "cut through the notorious red tape and poor accountability that has long affected the railways."
App-Based Features and Current Ownership
The launch of Great British Railways will also include a new mobile application, which will let passengers to check train times and purchase journeys without booking fees.
Passengers with disabilities travellers will also be able to use the app to book assistance.
Several franchises had earlier been taken into public control under the outgoing government, including Northern.
There are currently seven operating companies now in public control, representing about a third of rail travel.
In the last twelve months, South Western Railway have been nationalised, with further franchises anticipated to be added in the coming years.
Ministerial and Sector Response
"This is more than a new logo," stated the Transport Secretary. It represents "a new railway, casting off the problems of the previous system and focused completely on delivering a reliable public service."
Industry figures have responded positively to the pledge to improving services.
"The industry will carry on to cooperate with all stakeholders to support a successful changeover to GBR," a representative said.
