Branding and logo for Great British Railways unveiled

Michael Sheils McNameeBusiness reporterDepartment for TransportThe authorities has unveiled its branding for Nice British Railways (GBR), marking a step ahead in plans to nationalise the railways.Prior to now 12 months, the federal government has taken three rail franchises again into public management, one thing Labour promised in its manifesto.The brand new livery and branding makes use of a crimson, white and blue color scheme to reflect the Union Flag and shall be used on GBR trains, at stations and on its web site and app. Whereas the Price range included plans to freeze rail fares subsequent 12 months, the federal government has beforehand stated it can’t assure clients will see decrease costs underneath renationalisation. The rollout of the design, which was created in-house, is predicted to happen steadily, with passengers starting to see the trains throughout the nationwide community from subsequent spring. By way of December, the design shall be displayed at stations, together with London Bridge, Birmingham New Road, Glasgow Central, Leeds Metropolis, and Manchester Piccadilly.The Railways Invoice, which is able to permit for the creation of GBR, is presently making its manner by the Home of Commons. The federal government has stated it’s renationalising the railways so it’s “owned by the general public, delivering for the general public, not for personal shareholders”.The rollout of GBR may even embrace an app, which is able to let clients test prepare instances and ebook trains with out reserving charges. Disabled passengers may even have the ability to use the app to ebook help. Division for TransportA mock up of what the GBR app may appear to be Seven prepare operators are already in public palms, accounting for a few third of journeys, with the franchises being acquired as their contracts have expired. Franchises which have been nationalised previously 12 months embrace Larger Anglia, South Western Railway, and c2c, with extra anticipated to observe in 2026. The GBR emblem is the distinctive double-arrow emblem presently utilized by Nationwide Rail, which gives passenger info and tickets, and was created within the Nineteen Sixties as the emblem of British Rail – the state-owned firm which beforehand operated Britain’s railways. Division for TransportTransport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that the brand new design “is not only a paint job”, and that it represents “a brand new railway, putting off the frustrations of the previous and targeted fully on delivering a correct public service for passengers”.Jacqueline Starr, govt chair and chief govt of Rail Supply Group – a group of Britain’s prepare operators – welcomed the federal government’s dedication to enhancing providers for patrons. “We’ll proceed to work carefully with business companions to assist a easy transition to Nice British Railways,” she stated. Division for Transport