Media Centre

National Express - East Coast Mainline

05 Nov 2009

On 1 July 2009, National Express Group PLC (the "Company" or the "Group") announced that discussions with the UK Department for Transport ("DfT") had not secured an improved outlook for the National Express East Coast (“NXEC”) franchise. As a result, the loss-making franchise would continue to be supported by National Express in line with its franchise support commitments until the committed funding was fully utilised.

During the last five months, the Group has worked with the DfT and the proposed operator Directly Operated Railways ("DOR") to ensure an orderly handover. The franchise has continued to operate on all its existing terms, with the contractual support of the Group. The Group's committed funding support, comprising of a £40 million loan, has now been fully advanced to NXEC.

In order to effect the handover from NXEC to DOR, the DfT issued a termination notice after the markets closed last night and as a result, the operation of the NXEC franchise will transfer to DOR at 23.59 on 13th November 2009.

We do not expect passengers, services or employees to be affected by the handover.

The Group has two other rail franchises in the UK - National Express East Anglia and c2c - which are not subject to the termination notice announced today.