🔗 Share this article

The UK government has revealed the branding for GBR, constituting a major move in its plans to bring the railways under public control.

An National Palette and Familiar Symbol

The new design incorporates a red, white and blue palette to reflect the UK flag and will be applied on GBR trains, at railway stations, and across its online presence.

Significantly, the logo is the iconic twin-arrow logo currently used by the national rail network and previously designed in the 1960s for British Rail.

The Introduction Plan

The rollout of the branding, which was created by the department, is expected to take place gradually.

Travellers are scheduled to start spotting the freshly-liveried services throughout the national network from spring next year.

During the month of December, the design will be exhibited at key stations, such as Manchester Piccadilly.

A Journey to Nationalisation

The legislation, which will allow the establishment of GBR, is presently moving through the House of Commons.

The administration has argued it is taking control of the railways so the network is "run by the passengers, working for the passengers, not for profit."

GBR will bring the running of passenger trains and tracks and signals under a single organisation.

The government has claimed it will combine 17 different organisations and "cut through the problematic administrative hurdles and accountability gap that has long affected the railways."

App-Based Services and Current Public Control

The rollout of Great British Railways will also feature a dedicated mobile application, which will enable users to view train times and purchase journeys absent booking fees.

Accessibility travellers will also be able to use the app to request help.

A number of train companies had already been nationalised under the previous government, such as LNER.

There are currently 7 operating companies now in public hands, representing about a one-third of passenger trips.

In the past year, Greater Anglia have been nationalised, with further franchises expected to follow in the coming years.

Official and Sector Comments

"The new design is not simply a new logo," commented the Transport Secretary. It symbolises "a new railway, casting off the frustrations of the previous system and dedicated solely on offering a genuine public service."

Rail leaders have acknowledged the pledge to bettering services.

"The industry will carry on to work closely with industry partners to facilitate a successful transition to Great British Railways," a representative added.