The first train with the new Great British Railways (GBR) livery has been unveiled in Brighton as the government nationalises services run by the country’s biggest train operator, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR).
The Department for Transport (DfT) said that new-look trains, with the union flag livery and branding, would come into service gradually across England’s rail network in the coming months.
The DfT added that when GTR services are nationalised on Sunday 31 May, more than 11,000 publicly owned services would run each weekday.
The transfer is due to happen a year after South Western Railway was taken into public ownership and 30 years on from the privatisation and fragmentation of the railways.
The DfT said: “Passengers across Britain are already experiencing the benefits of public ownership, with publicly owned DfT train operators performing better on punctuality and cancellations on average than those yet to come under DfT operator ownership.
“They’re also benefiting from the first freeze in rail fares in three decades, saving passengers hundreds of pounds off their season tickets.
“Passengers up and down the country will soon begin to see the fresh, unmistakably British design popping up at stations, on staff uniforms and on trains.
“Rolled out gradually to ensure value for taxpayers’ money, the brand is a clear signal of the government’s commitment to bringing the railway together under one publicly owned identity, putting passengers and the public interest firmly in the driving seat.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “The unveiling of the first GBR‑branded train in Brighton today makes the future of Britain’s railways a reality.
“It represents all of the work being done by staff up and down the country to fundamentally reform our railway.
“This isn’t just a paint job. It’s an important step towards building a more joined up, publicly owned railway that puts passengers first, delivers better services and leaves the frustrations and fragmentation of the past behind.”
