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The Transport Department has presented the visual identity for Great British Railways, representing a key stride in its strategy to take the railways under nationalisation.

A Patriotic Colour Scheme and Historic Symbol

The updated livery uses a red, white and blue design to represent the Union Flag and will be used on GBR trains, at terminals, and across its website and app.

Notably, the symbol is the iconic double-arrow design presently used by the national rail network and originally created in the 1960s for British Rail.

The Rollout Plan

The introduction of the branding, which was designed by the department, is scheduled to happen gradually.

Passengers are set to begin seeing the newly-branded services across the UK rail network from next spring.

During the month of December, the design will be displayed at major railway stations, including Leeds City.

The Path to Nationalisation

The Railways Bill, which will enable the creation of GBR, is currently moving through the legislative process.

The administration has stated it is bringing back into public ownership the railways so the network is "run by the people, working for the passengers, not for private shareholders."

GBR will unify the running of train services and tracks and signals under one umbrella body.

The government has stated it will unify seventeen different entities and "cut through the problematic administrative hurdles and accountability gap that has long affected the railways."

Digital Features and Existing Ownership

The introduction of Great British Railways will also feature a new mobile application, which will allow passengers to view schedules and book journeys free from surcharges.

Disabled users will also be able to use the app to book help.

Several operators had already been taken into public control under the former administration, including TPE.

There are now seven train operators already in state ownership, representing about a third of journeys.

In the past year, South Western Railway have been brought into public ownership, with further franchises expected to be added in the coming years.

Ministerial and Industry Comments

"The new design is not simply a new logo," commented the Transport Secretary. It represents "a fresh start, shedding the issues of the past and dedicated completely on delivering a reliable public service."

Industry figures have welcomed the focus to enhancing services.

"We will carry on to work closely with industry partners to facilitate a seamless handover to the new system," a senior figure added.