Great British Railways unveils new ‘striking’ design under nationalisation plans
Trains across the UK will feature a distinctive red, white and blue paint scheme inspired by the Union flag, as part of the government’s ongoing rail nationalization drive.
State-owned Great British Railways (GBR) has unveiled its new branding and confirmed it will be available on trains, websites and stations from next spring.
Described by the Department for Transport as a “striking and unforgettable design”, the livery was developed in-house to maximize value for money.
The move will result in a significant aesthetic change, as the seven major train operators currently brought under state control have so far retained the branding of their previous operators.
This also marks a sharp departure from the iconic “Rail Blue” color scheme that characterized public British Rail trains from the mid-1960s to the 1980s.
Transport Minister Heidi Alexander said: “I am very proud to unveil the new look for Great British Railways as we introduce landmark legislation to nationalize our trains and reform the railway to better serve passengers.
“This is not just a paint job, it represents a new railway that removes the frustrations of the past and focuses entirely on providing a convenient public service for passengers.
“With a pay freeze, a bold new look and the enactment of fundamental reforms, we are building a railway Britain can trust and be proud of.”
The branding will be gradually rolled out to some public train operators from next spring.
The news came that rail fares would be frozen for the first time in 30 years. This unprecedented decision is expected to save millions of passengers hundreds of pounds; Passengers traveling on more expensive routes have the potential to save more than £300 a year on season tickets between major cities, on peak and off-peak returns.
Ministers said the changes were an integral part of public UK Railways’ plans to deliver better value.
This includes investing in superfast Wi-Fi, as well as streamlining entry, exit and ticketing with digital options.
The announcement applies to the UK and services operated by British train operators.
