🔗 Share this article A Updated Branding for the UK's National Rail Body is Unveiled. The UK government has presented the logo and livery for GBR, signifying a major move in its agenda to take the railways back into state hands. A Patriotic Palette and Familiar Symbol The updated design showcases a patriotic palette to reflect the Union Flag and will be used on rolling stock, at stations, and across its website and app. Interestingly, the emblem is the well-known double-arrow symbol presently used by National Rail and first created in the 1960s for British Rail. The iconic twin-arrow symbol was formerly used by the state-owned British Rail. A Rollout Timeline The phased introduction of the design, which was developed in-house, is scheduled to take place gradually. Commuters are scheduled to begin seeing the freshly-liveried services on the national network from the coming spring. During December, the visuals will be exhibited at prominent railway stations, like London Bridge. A Journey to Public Ownership The Railways Bill, which will allow the creation of GBR, is presently moving through the legislative process. The administration has said it is taking control of the railways so the system is "owned by the passengers, operating for the passengers, not for profit." GBR will unify the operation of train services and tracks and signals under one umbrella body. The government has said it will merge seventeen different bodies and "cut through the notorious bureaucracy and lack of accountability that has long affected the railways." App-Based Services and Existing Ownership The launch of Great British Railways will also include a new app, which will let passengers to view schedules and reserve tickets without surcharges. Disabled users will also be able to use the application to book support. A preview of how the GBR application might look. Several franchises had previously been taken into public control under the former administration, including TPE. There are now 7 train operators already in public control, accounting for about a third of passenger trips. In the past year, South Western Railway have been brought into public ownership, with further franchises anticipated to be added in the coming years. Official and Sector Reaction "The new design is more than a new logo," commented the relevant minister. It symbolises "a fresh start, casting off the issues of the previous system and focused entirely on providing a genuine service for the public." Rail leaders have welcomed the pledge to improving the passenger experience. "The industry will carry on to collaborate with industry partners to facilitate a seamless transition to the new system," a representative said.