Statement re First Capital Connect franchise award

18 February 2014

                                                                               

                                FIRSTGROUP PLC                                 
                         ('FirstGroup' or 'the Group')                         
                                                                               
              Statement RE: FIRST CAPITAL CONNECT FRANCHISE AWARD              


FirstGroup, the leading transport operator in the UK and North America, has
signed an agreement with the Department for Transport to operate the First
Capital Connect rail franchise for a further six months.

As previously announced, this award means that the First Capital Connect
franchise will operate beyond its current planned end date of 31 March 2014 to
14 September 2014. This new end date is coterminous with the Government's
anticipated start for the new Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern
franchise, for which we have submitted a compelling bid offering significant
improvements for customers and value for money for taxpayers.

Today's award secures continuity of rail services for passengers and retains
the Group's experience as the delivery partner of the multi-billion pound
Thameslink Programme already well underway on the network. During this
six-month period First Capital Connect will continue with its comprehensive
maintenance programme, as well as introducing service improvements for
passengers including new and enhanced information at stations, better customer
assistance and higher levels of train cleaning.

Commenting, Tim O'Toole, Chief Executive said:

"Today's agreement with the Department for Transport provides continuity and
consistency for First Capital Connect passengers, building on the improvements
our experienced team is already making as we play an active part in delivering
the multi-billion pound Thameslink Programme. This agreement allows us to
continue our improvements over the next six months, focusing in particular on
customer information provision and assistance."

Further information, FirstGroup:
Rachael Borthwick, Group Corporate Communications Director

Stuart Butchers, Group Media Relations Manager

Tel: [phone] / 0512