End of GBRTT

[Mainline421]

When in May do these changes happen in terms of branding etc?

Presumably when SWR is nationalised on 26 May. Although I would think there would more signs of this publicly by now if they intend to merge the public facing brands into GBR. Still the much bigger quesrtion of when/if the OLR actually gets absorbed into Network Rail assuming that's still the plan

 

[ollyexe2808]

What the hell does an "Experience Design Manager" do in a Fares, Ticketing and Retail team?

My guess would be to try to use the new set-up as a naive customer to see how easy it is to navigate... but that's probably a million miles away from the reality!

I think you're probably right with your description there! Ultimately they need someone to ensure the front end experience of buying tickets etc is logical and user friendly.

 

[styles]

What the hell does an "Experience Design Manager" do in a Fares, Ticketing and Retail team?

My guess would be to try to use the new set-up as a naive customer to see how easy it is to navigate... but that's probably a million miles away from the reality!

The job advert appears to be gone now, but my guess is it would be a UX role for the new ticketing system. Which in all honesty, is very important, given how many passengers currently buy the wrong ticket, or buy the right ticket then use it wrong, in genuine mistake. Or people buying more expensive tickets than they need, or not realising they could be eligible for e.g. a Two Together Railcard.

 

[physics34]

About time the government published a plan or a timeline for the incumbent GBR. With SWR going over to GBR in a month, hardly anything has gone public‍♂️

 

[Clarence Yard]

We will learn more about GBR when the Parliamentary Bill to enact it is published later this year.

SWR isn’t going to GBR, it is going to DFT Operator Ltd (DFTO), formerly DOHL, to join the other TOCs that are directed operated by the DfT. DFTO is the current structure that all the returning TOCs will go into, prior to GBR getting up and running.

 

[ollyexe2808]

About time the government published a plan or a timeline for the incumbent GBR. With SWR going over to GBR in a month, hardly anything has gone public‍♂️

Partially that is because the consultation over the actual legislation to transfer powers is only closing today, plus the pre-election period for local elections means any big announcements are often postponed. Though generally speaking, no legislation is needed to 'rebrand' Network Rail. I can imagine a situation in which the introduction of the Rail Reform Bill to the House of Commons will coincide with the 'brand reveal' of GBR. In terms of a timeline, that will be dependent on how quickly they can get the legislation through parliament. I believe there was a vague notion that GBR as a fully formed organisation will take at least 2 years - that is, harmonising organisational differences between TOCs as they come in house and ensuring the structure is right.

 

[Snow1964]

About time the government published a plan or a timeline for the incumbent GBR. With SWR going over to GBR in a month, hardly anything has gone public‍♂️

Your wish has today been answered by DfT

Establishing Great British Railways​

In February 2025, the government’s consultation on the Railways Bill outlined plans to set up GBR as a new arm’s length body, responsible for rail services and infrastructure.

The Railways Bill is due to go before Parliament this parliamentary session. GBR is expected to be operational around 12 months after the bill receives Royal Assent.

Before the bill becomes law, leaders of Network Rail, DfTOperator Limited (DFTO), and the Department for Transport’s (DfT’s) Rail Services Group are working together, as Shadow Great British Railways (SGBR). SGBR will start to realise the benefits of rail reform to passengers and freight ahead of the formal creation of GBR.

Great British Railways and the public ownership programme

Updates on the programme to transfer rail services into public ownership and establish GBR as the body responsible for passenger services and infrastructure.

www.gov.uk

 

[The exile]

I think you're probably right with your description there! Ultimately they need someone to ensure the front end experience of buying tickets etc is logical and user friendly.

In other words, something that many public-facing websites seem to have considered superfluous.

 

[DarloRich]

There doesn't seem anything new in that statement

 

[swt_passenger]

There doesn't seem anything new in that statement

I suspect all they’ve done is added the image and changed the tense of the existing stuff about SWR. I agree it’s extremely similar to the previous statement. Don’t suppose anyone has kept a copy?

 

[orangesNlemons]

Yes, the rebranding is set to happen from May. I've had this confirmed to me. There's options for a huge new rebranding - new liveries, uniforms, the whole shebang. There's also options for lower-cost rebranding - but it's happening from May.

Does anyone know where/when this will be published? I presume it will likely be through NR like they did with the RA2 design manual and whatnot.

I just hope they've hired some good graphic designers!

 

[vuzzeho]

Does anyone know where/when this will be published? I presume it will likely be through NR like they did with the RA2 design manual and whatnot.

I just hope they've hired some good graphic designers!

No confirmation on when/where/if we'll get a design manual. Probably won't - for liveries and brand identities they aren't really released publicly.

As for the designers - the ones I know of have had a good track record with some pretty well-liked operator liveries. Though that's just the ones I know of - idk who else might be working on it, or if they got a team in to do it. If they did get a team... Spaceagency again? They don't really do liveries though. Could be PriestmanGoode, Tangerine, Atlantic Design, Sam Jessup, I don't know - those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[orangesNlemons]

Ah very good, it's good to hear that GBR is in (at least some) capable hands. The last thing we want is for GBR to suffer from a terrible makeover - any change in branding will very likely be the first thing that the public actually notices before any changes to tickets or punctuality come about.