A New Logo for GBR is Announced.
The Transport Department has presented the visual identity for Great British Railways, marking a major stride in its agenda to take the railways under nationalisation.
A Patriotic Colour Scheme and Historic Logo
The fresh branding showcases a Union Flag-inspired design to represent the national flag and will be used on rolling stock, at stations, and across its online presence.
Interestingly, the emblem is the well-known double-arrow logo historically used by National Rail and previously introduced in the 1960s for British Rail.
A Implementation Strategy
The rollout of the branding, which was developed in-house, is scheduled to happen gradually.
Commuters are expected to start noticing the newly-branded services throughout the UK rail network from next spring.
During the month of December, the branding will be showcased at major stations, like Leeds City.
The Journey to Nationalisation
The legislation, which will allow the establishment of GBR, is currently making its way through the House of Commons.
The administration has argued it is bringing back into public ownership the railways so the service is "owned by the people, delivering for the people, not for private shareholders."
Great British Railways will consolidate the running of train services and tracks and signals under one umbrella body.
The department has claimed it will unify seventeen separate organisations and "reduce the problematic administrative hurdles and poor accountability that has long affected the railways."
App-Based Services and Existing Public Control
The launch of Great British Railways will also include a comprehensive mobile application, which will let customers to check timetables and purchase tickets free from booking fees.
Disabled passengers will also be able to use the app to book help.
Several train companies had already been taken into public control under the former administration, such as TPE.
There are currently 7 train operators already in public hands, representing about a third of rail travel.
In the last twelve months, c2c have been brought into public ownership, with more anticipated to follow in the coming years.
Ministerial and Sector Reaction
"This is more than a paint job," said the Transport Secretary. It represents "a new railway, casting off the issues of the past and concentrated solely on delivering a reliable passenger-focused service."
Rail representatives have responded positively to the government's commitment to improving services.
"The industry will carry on to work closely with relevant bodies to support a successful handover to the new system," a representative said.
