Franchise Extension

Press release

17 May 2013

National Express Group PLC

National Express welcomes the Department for Transport's decision to extend the c2c rail franchise

National Express Group PLC ("National Express") welcomes the Department for Transport's decision to extend the c2c rail franchise in East London and South Essex until September 2014, with an option to extend the franchise up to April 2015.

In reaction, National Express Group Chief Executive Dean Finch said: "We are delighted with today's announcement. Under National Express this service has gone from being dubbed 'the Misery Line' to become the UK's most popular and most punctual rail franchise. We look forward to maintaining our existing high standards and continuing to serve the people of East London and South Essex."

Notes to Editors

·; The existing c2c franchise was due to expire on 26 May 2013. It will now run until 14 September 2014, with an option to extend the franchise up to 26 April 2015.

·; National Express is one of four companies shortlisted to run the new 15-year Essex Thameside franchise that will follow the c2c extension.

About National Express Group: More than 800m journeys a year are made worldwide on our bus, train, light rail and express coach operations. We deliver services in the UK, North America, Spain and Morocco. Our 40,000 employees are committed to improve the quality of life for all through travel.

About c2c: c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex. c2c is delivering the best performance in the UK rail industry, holding the UK records for annual punctuality (97.5%) and 4-weekly punctuality (98.8%) by a franchised train operator. Customer satisfaction with c2c services measured 93% in the latest National Passenger Survey.

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