20th Feb 2007 09:15
National Express Group PLC20 February 2007 National Express Group PLC National Express Group shortlisted to bid for Inter-City East Coast franchise National Express Group is delighted to be shortlisted by the Department forTransport ("DfT") to bid to run the prestigious Inter-City East Coast railfranchise. National Express runs the UK's top performing Inter-City rail company, MidlandMainline, which was voted Passenger Operator of the Year in 2006. Its railportfolio also includes c2c which is officially Britain's best performingrailway and tops the rail industry league tables. The Group is currently putting the finishing touches to its rail bids for twoother new rail franchises, East Midlands and New Cross Country, after beingshortlisted in these competitions last November. These will be submitted to theDfT in late February and early March respectively. Commenting on today's announcement Richard Bowker, Chief Executive of NationalExpress Group said: "We are delighted to have reached the next stage of thecompetition for this very important franchise. Through our bid, we will bring aworld class level of customer service and quality as well as our industryleading track record in performance and delivery. We will offer a proposal thatwill make Inter-City East Coast a truly world class railway." "As with any franchise bid, it is vital that key stakeholders along the EastCoast route are consulted and their views taken into account. We have alreadystarted this process by meeting MPs from constituencies along the route at theHouse of Commons earlier this month and we will ensure we speak to as manypeople as possible to hear what they want for their railway. " Interested stakeholders, passengers and members of the public on the route areinvited to post their comments and ideas via the franchise information page onthe Group website at www.nationalexpressgroup.com - ENDS - Notes to Editors: • National Express Group serves more than one billion passengers a year worldwide on its bus, train, light rail and express coach and airport operations. We have leading positions in each of our markets - the United Kingdom, North America and Spain. Over 25% of our operations are now in international markets. • National Express Group is one of the UK's leading train operating companies with six franchises within its portfolio; c2c, Silverlink, Central Trains, Gatwick Express, Midland Mainline and 'one' incorporating Stansted Express. • National Express Group has been shortlisted for two upcoming rail franchises: East Midlands and New Cross Country. The New Cross Country and East Midlands bids will be submitted to the DfT in February 2007. • The current timeframe for the East Coast bid is now:- o The 'Invitation to Tender' document will be issued to short listed bidders - March 2007 o The deadline for bid submission - June 2007 o Negotiations will take place and a final decision will be made - July/August 2007 o The commencement of new franchise - Late Autumn 2007 For further information, please contact: Nicola Marsden/Georgina ParkesNational Express Group PLC 020 7529 2000 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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