Will Passenger Transport Executive branding return to trains under GBR?

[thenorthern]

With the Bee Network branding coming to some Greater Manchester trains I was wondering if there were plans to reintroduce Public Transport Executive branding to other areas under Great British Railway branding.

Of course in the British Rail days there were trains in the Transport for Greater Manchester, Centro, West Yorkshire Metro, Nexus, Merseytravel and SPT (Strathclyde) all had a large amount of trains in their livery. When Privatisation happened it continued for a few years but has now largely disappeared except for Merseyrail, London Overground and to a certain extent West Midlands Railway.

Is it likely we could see the return of PTE branding?

 

[vuzzeho]

I mean, as PTEs? No. Most (if not all) devolved transport authorities don't go by that anymore. But yes, I think devolved/'PTE' branding will return to other areas under GBR. Like you mentioned, there's currently TfL, TfGM, Nexus, WY Metro, Merseytravel, and to an extent, TfWM.

I believe other than TfGM/Bee Network and TfWM, they all operate their own branded rail services. Under GBR, I expect the Bee Network to run branded rail services (because they are going to), but also TfWM. In fact, I'm interested to see what happens when WMR is renationalised in Feb. I wouldn't be surprised if that brand just stuck around. I imagine others will apply but likely not get it, because the whole point of GBR is to create an integrated rail authority. Every city having its own one would sort of defeat the point, however, I do think Bristol might get branded services in the future. Other than that, I don't know.

 

[thenorthern]

It will be interesting as well to see if any PTE will own trains again like used to happen in the days of British Rail.

I suppose one of the problems with PTE branded trains is having to keep them within their PTE area. I remember a couple of times during the Serco-Abellio Northern Rail period seeing some Class 153s with Northern Rail branding with "Transport for South Yorkshire" stickers on the side at Lancaster. Lancaster is of course way outside the Travel South Yorkshire area.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I suppose one of the problems with PTE branded trains is having to keep them within their PTE area.

In the days when there were yellow and grey/orange/red 142s and 150s around the North, you were as likely to see a GMPTE branded one on Merseyside and a yellow one doing east Manchester locals as you were the correct way round. "Partnership" logos on the base GBR colours are thus probably more practical, i.e. "GBR in partnership with TfGM and Merseytravel".

 

[The exile]

however, I do think Bristol might get branded services in the future. Other than that, I don't know.

It had them in the mid 1980s. In fact, ISTR the odd “Avon Link” logo survived on the Severn Beach line until the wholesale GWR-isation.
Little point in going for full train livery unless the train is guaranteed “captive” (like Merseyrail or T&W metro units).