Pre close trading update

National Express Group PLC
03 July 2006

3 July 2006



                           National Express Group PLC

                            Pre close trading update

National Express Group ('the Group') reports on trading for the six months to 30
June 2006 prior to entering its close period.  We have made a good start to the
year and are pleased to report that trading remains in line with expectations.

In our trains division, we have been short-listed for the new London Rail
Concession and are finalising arrangements for the extension of the existing
Silverlink franchise to November 2007. Currently we are responding to the
Accreditation Questionnaires for the Midlands franchises, scheduled to be
submitted by the end of July, and, as announced on 30 June, we have submitted a
joint bid for the South Western rail franchise competition, for which the Group
pre-qualified earlier this year.

In our UK bus business, Travel London has seen new contract wins and extensions
to existing contracts and Travel West Midlands is trading in line with our
expectations. Our UK coach division is entering its key summer trading period
after a solid start to the year.

Overseas our North American school bus business is well positioned for the start
of the new school year, after a strong bid season. In Spain, Alsa traded well
during the period and the integration of business, both financially and
operationally, is on track. We continue to look at new opportunities to grow our
bus operations overseas.

The Group remains fully hedged against fuel prices for the current year.
Looking forward, we will need to remain focused on seeking ways to address
continued increased fuel prices in order to mitigate the impact on the Group's
2007 results where possible.

The Group's interim results will be announced on 28 September 2006.

                                    - ENDS -

For further information:

Adam Walker/Nicola Marsden
National Express Group PLC
020 7529 2000

Andrew Dowler/Ben Foster
Financial Dynamics
020 7831 3113


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