🔗 Share this article

The government has presented the branding for the new national rail body, representing a notable stride in its plans to bring the railways under public control.

A Patriotic Design and Familiar Emblem

The updated design showcases a Union Flag-inspired colour scheme to reflect the national flag and will be applied on rolling stock, at stations, and across its digital platforms.

Significantly, the emblem is the iconic double-arrow design historically used by the national rail network and originally designed in the 1960s for the former state operator.

A Introduction Strategy

The phased introduction of the design, which was created internally, is set to occur gradually.

Passengers are scheduled to begin seeing the newly-branded trains on the national network from next spring.

Throughout December, the branding will be showcased at key railway stations, such as Leeds City.

The Journey to Renationalisation

The Railways Bill, which will allow the establishment of GBR, is presently progressing through the Parliament.

The administration has stated it is taking control of the railways so the system is "run by the people, delivering for the public, not for private shareholders."

GBR will bring the running of passenger trains and infrastructure under one umbrella body.

The department has said it will unify seventeen different organisations and "cut through the problematic red tape and lack of accountability that continues to plague the railways."

Digital Services and Existing Public Control

The rollout of GBR will also involve a dedicated mobile application, which will let customers to view train times and purchase journeys free from additional fees.

Disabled travellers will also be have the option to use the application to request assistance.

Multiple operators had already been nationalised under the former government, including Northern.

There are currently 7 train operators already in public control, accounting for about a third of journeys.

In the past year, c2c have been nationalised, with further franchises likely to follow in the coming years.

Official and Industry Comments

"This is not simply a paint job," commented the Transport Secretary. It represents "a fresh start, shedding the issues of the past and dedicated entirely on providing a reliable service for the public."

Industry representatives have responded positively to the focus to improving the passenger experience.

"We will carry on to collaborate with relevant bodies to support a successful handover to GBR," a senior figure noted.