Response to DfT Announcement

National Express Group PLC
04 April 2007

4th April 2007


                    National Express Group PLC ('the Group')                    

                                Gatwick Express                                 

National Express Group PLC ('the Group') notes today's announcement from the
Department for Transport ('DfT') concerning the Gatwick Express train franchise.
The Group will now begin the process of transferring the franchise to Southern,
a process which will be completed by May 2008.

Group Chief Executive Richard Bowker said 'Our employees are to be congratulated
for the outstanding performance of this business in terms of both reliability
and customer satisfaction. They deliver an outstanding service despite the very
challenging commercial terms of the franchise itself.

'We will always stand by our commitments even when the immediate commercial
advantage is not obvious. We will continue to maintain this level of
professionalism for our customers on Gatwick Express until our obligations
expire in May 2008. We will work with the DfT to ensure a smooth transition of
the franchise over the coming months.'

                                    - ENDS -


For further information, please contact:

Nicola Marsden/Georgina Parkes
National Express Group PLC                                   020 7529 2000




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