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The UK government has introduced the logo and livery for the new national rail body, signifying a notable advance in its strategy to take the railways under public control.

An Patriotic Design and Familiar Emblem

The updated livery incorporates a patriotic design to reflect the national flag and will be used on GBR trains, at stations, and across its website and app.

Notably, the emblem is the iconic double-arrow design presently used by National Rail and previously designed in the mid-20th century for the former state operator.

A Implementation Timeline

The implementation of the design, which was developed in-house, is scheduled to occur gradually.

Travellers are set to start seeing the newly-branded trains on the network from the coming spring.

In the month of December, the design will be exhibited at key stations, like Glasgow Central.

A Journey to Public Ownership

The legislation, which will enable the establishment of Great British Railways, is currently moving through the House of Commons.

The administration has argued it is bringing back into public ownership the railways so the service is "owned by the passengers, operating for the people, not for corporate interests."

Great British Railways will bring the running of train services and infrastructure under one umbrella body.

The government has said it will unify seventeen various organisations and "eliminate the notorious red tape and poor accountability that hinders the railways."

App-Based Services and Existing Ownership

The introduction of GBR will also include a new mobile application, which will enable customers to see schedules and purchase tickets without surcharges.

Disabled travellers will also be have the option to use the application to arrange support.

A number of franchises had already been nationalised under the previous government, such as Southeastern.

There are currently seven operating companies now in public hands, accounting for about a third of passenger trips.

In the past year, South Western Railway have been nationalised, with additional operators likely to be added in the coming years.

Official and Sector Response

"This is more than a new logo," commented the relevant minister. It symbolises "a new railway, casting off the frustrations of the previous system and dedicated completely on delivering a genuine public service."

Rail figures have acknowledged the government's commitment to improving the passenger experience.

"The industry will continue to work closely with relevant bodies to facilitate a successful changeover to the new system," one executive said.