Statement re: InterCity West Coast Franchise Award

3 October 2012

                                FIRSTGROUP PLC                                 

STATEMENT RE: INTERCITY WEST COAST FRANCHISE AWARD

We were notified late last night that the Department for Transport (DfT) has
apparently discovered significant technical flaws in the way their franchise
process for the InterCity West Coast was conducted and have consequently
cancelled the competition for this franchise.

We understand the DfT has ordered two urgent independent inquiries into the
West Coast competition and the wider DfT rail franchise programme. Until this
point we had absolutely no indication that there were any issues with the
franchise letting process and had received assurances from the DfT that their
processes were robust and that they expected to sign the contract with
FirstGroup soon.

We are extremely disappointed to learn this news and await the outcome of the
DfT's inquiries. The DfT have made it clear to us that we are in no way at
fault, having followed the due process correctly. We submitted a strong bid, in
good faith and in strict accordance with the DfT's terms. Our bid would have
delivered a better deal for West Coast passengers, the taxpayer and an
appropriate return for shareholders.

Contacts FirstGroup plc:

Rachael Borthwick, Group Corporate Communications Director

Stuart Butchers, Group Corporate Communications Manager

Tel: + 44 20 7291 0512

Brunswick PR:

Michael Harrison / Andrew Porter

Tel: [phone]