The Updated Logo for the UK's National Rail Body is Revealed.
The Transport Department has revealed the branding for GBR, signifying a notable move in its agenda to bring the railways back into state hands.
A National Design and Historic Symbol
The new branding showcases a Union Flag-inspired design to represent the UK flag and will be applied on locomotives, at railway stations, and across its online presence.
Significantly, the symbol is the iconic twin-arrow logo presently used by the national rail network and originally introduced in the 1960s for British Rail.
The Implementation Plan
The rollout of the design, which was designed internally, is set to occur in phases.
Commuters are set to begin seeing the freshly-liveried trains on the network from spring next year.
Throughout December, the design will be exhibited at key stations, like London Bridge.
The Journey to Nationalisation
The legislation, which will pave the way the establishment of GBR, is presently making its way through the legislative process.
The administration has stated it is taking control of the railways so the service is "owned by the public, delivering for the passengers, not for profit."
Great British Railways will unify the running of train services and tracks and signals under one umbrella body.
The government has said it will unify seventeen separate bodies and "eliminate the notorious bureaucracy and lack of accountability that has long affected the railways."
App-Based Services and Existing Ownership
The rollout of GBR will also involve a dedicated app, which will let customers to view schedules and reserve journeys absent additional fees.
Accessibility passengers will also be have the option to use the app to book help.
Multiple train companies had earlier been taken into public control under the outgoing administration, such as TPE.
There are now seven operating companies already in public control, accounting for about a third of passenger trips.
In the last twelve months, c2c have been nationalised, with more likely to be added in the coming years.
Official and Industry Comments
"This is not simply a cosmetic change," commented the relevant minister. It signifies "a fresh start, leaving behind the issues of the previous system and dedicated completely on delivering a genuine passenger-focused service."
Industry leaders have welcomed the pledge to bettering services.
"We will continue to work closely with relevant bodies to facilitate a smooth handover to Great British Railways," a senior figure said.