The first train to feature the Great British Railways (GBR) branding has been met with widespread criticism on social media following its unveiling on Thursday.
Public reaction to the new design
The Southern Class 387 train, now adorned with the new GBR livery, was showcased by the Department for Transport. However, users on X quickly voiced their displeasure, describing the design as “ugly and impractical.” One commenter remarked: “It looks like it’s wrapped in an advertising campaign for GB News. Surely this can’t be the final design?” Many others questioned the cost of the rebranding effort.
Government defends the rollout
In a press release, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander defended the initiative, stating that the branded train marks “an important step towards building a more joined-up, publicly owned railway.” The government has outlined plans to complete the transition of rail services into public ownership by the end of 2027. The GBR branding is intended to unify the network under a single identity, moving away from the current franchise system.
Critics, however, argue that the money spent on rebranding could have been better used to improve services or reduce fares. The debate continues as more trains are expected to receive the new livery in the coming months.
