National Express Group, (“the Group”) the UK’s largest train operating company, today welcomes the start of the bidding process for the Thameslink/Great Northern franchise as the Government invites Expressions of Interest for the franchise. The Group also announces that it will be bidding for this franchise.

The new franchise will combine services from Wagn and Thameslink to create one single train operating company. The Group already operates Wagn train services, which following the SRA’s National Rail Trends report yesterday, reported a double digit improvement in its performance. In the last quarter, the Group’s trains division ran 4 out of the top 5 performing London and South East train companies. The franchise will commence operation in April 2006.

Commenting, David Franks, Chief Executive of the National Express Group’s trains division said:

“The creation of this new franchise is an exciting event for the UK rail industry. We carry a third of all London commuters through our c2c, ‘one’, Silverlink and Wagn services and as this franchise requires a company with extensive experience of operating intensive commuter services, we believe we are well placed for both the bid and its operation. In addition, we have extensive experience of bringing together multiple train companies to create a single seamless operation. We look forward to submitting our Expression of Interest to the Government in February.”

Notes to Editors

• National Express Group is the largest operator of train franchises in the UK operating a mix of inter-city, rural, commuter and airport services. Its train brands include c2c, Central Trains, Gatwick Express, Midland Mainline, ‘one’, Silverlink, Wagn, which will become part of the Thameslink/GN franchise and Wessex Trains.
• National Express Group also announced today that it will be bidding for the Greater Western franchise.

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