A Updated Logo for Great British Railways is Announced.
The government has unveiled the branding for Great British Railways, signifying a major move in its strategy to take the railways into public ownership.
An Patriotic Palette and Iconic Emblem
The new branding features a red, white and blue colour scheme to echo the national flag and will be used on GBR trains, at terminals, and across its website and app.
Interestingly, the logo is the distinctive double-arrow symbol currently used by National Rail and originally created in the 1960s for the former state operator.
A Introduction Strategy
The rollout of the design, which was designed by the department, is scheduled to happen in phases.
Passengers are set to start seeing the freshly-liveried services across the UK rail network from the coming spring.
In the month of December, the visuals will be displayed at major railway stations, such as Leeds City.
The Path to Public Ownership
The Railways Bill, which will allow the establishment of GBR, is currently moving through the House of Commons.
The government has stated it is bringing back into public ownership the railways so the network is "run by the people, delivering for the public, not for private shareholders."
Great British Railways will unify the operation of passenger trains and tracks and signals under a unified structure.
The government has claimed it will combine seventeen separate bodies and "reduce the notorious bureaucracy and accountability gap that hinders the railways."
Digital Services and Current Ownership
The introduction of GBR will also involve a comprehensive mobile application, which will allow customers to check train times and purchase tickets free from additional fees.
Disabled passengers will also be have the option to use the app to request assistance.
A number of operators had previously been taken into public control under the outgoing administration, including TPE.
There are currently 7 train operators already in public control, covering about a one-third of passenger trips.
In the last twelve months, South Western Railway have been nationalised, with further franchises likely to be added in the coming years.
Official and Sector Response
"This is more than a new logo," stated the Transport Secretary. It symbolises "a new railway, leaving behind the issues of the previous system and dedicated completely on offering a genuine passenger-focused service."
Industry figures have responded positively to the focus to enhancing services.
"We will carry on to work closely with industry partners to ensure a seamless transition to GBR," a representative noted.
