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The Transport Department has disclosed the visual identity for GBR, marking a notable move in its policy to take the railways back into state hands.

An Patriotic Palette and Historic Symbol

The fresh branding uses a patriotic design to mirror the UK flag and will be used on rolling stock, at terminals, and across its digital platforms.

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

The Implementation Timeline

The phased introduction of the new look, which was created by the department, is scheduled to happen gradually.

Passengers are scheduled to begin noticing the freshly-liveried trains throughout the network from the coming spring.

In December, the design will be showcased at prominent railway stations, like Manchester Piccadilly.

The Journey to Renationalisation

The proposed law, which will pave the way the creation of Great British Railways, is presently moving through the House of Commons.

The government has said it is taking control of the railways so the service is "owned by the public, delivering for the public, not for profit."

Great British Railways will unify the operation of passenger trains and infrastructure under a unified structure.

The government has said it will combine 17 separate organisations and "eliminate the problematic bureaucracy and lack of accountability that continues to plague the railways."

App-Based Services and Current Ownership

The introduction of Great British Railways will also feature a dedicated mobile application, which will enable users to view train times and reserve tickets without booking fees.

Passengers with disabilities passengers will also be able to use the app to request help.

Multiple franchises had previously been nationalised under the former government, such as LNER.

There are currently 7 operating companies already in public control, representing 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.

Ministerial and Sector Reaction

"The new design isn't just a paint job," commented the Transport Secretary. It signifies "a fresh start, shedding the issues of the previous system and dedicated entirely on providing a reliable passenger-focused service."

Rail representatives have responded positively to the government's commitment to improving the passenger experience.

"The industry will carry on to cooperate with industry partners to facilitate a seamless changeover to Great British Railways," one executive noted.