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The Transport Department has introduced the branding for Great British Railways, signifying a significant step in its plans to take the railways under public control.

An Patriotic Colour Scheme and Iconic Logo

The fresh livery features a Union Flag-inspired design to mirror the national flag and will be rolled out on GBR trains, at railway stations, and across its digital platforms.

Interestingly, the symbol is the well-known double-arrow symbol historically used by National Rail and originally designed in the 1960s for the former state operator.

The Implementation Plan

The rollout of the new look, which was developed by the department, is set to happen gradually.

Travellers are expected to start seeing the newly-branded services on the UK rail network from the coming spring.

During December, the design will be showcased at prominent railway stations, like London Bridge.

A Journey to Public Ownership

The Railways Bill, which will enable the establishment of GBR, is currently making its way through the legislative process.

The government has said it is bringing back into public ownership the railways so the network is "owned by the people, delivering for the people, not for corporate interests."

The new body will unify the operation of passenger trains and tracks and signals under a unified structure.

The department has stated it will merge 17 different bodies and "eliminate the frustrating administrative hurdles and poor accountability that continues to plague the railways."

App-Based Services and Existing Ownership

The introduction of Great British Railways will also involve a new app, which will enable users to view timetables and book tickets absent booking fees.

Accessibility travellers will also be have the option to use the app to request support.

A number of franchises had previously been taken into public control under the previous government, including TPE.

There are now 7 operating companies already in public hands, covering about a one-third of passenger trips.

In the last twelve months, c2c have been nationalised, with additional operators anticipated to be added in the coming years.

Official and Industry Reaction

"The new design is not simply a cosmetic change," commented the Transport Secretary. It symbolises "a new railway, leaving behind the frustrations of the previous system and focused solely on delivering a reliable passenger-focused service."

Industry leaders have welcomed the government's commitment to bettering the passenger experience.

"The industry will carry on to cooperate with industry partners to facilitate a successful transition to the new system," a representative noted.