Trading Statement

National Express Group PLC
19 December 2005


For announcement at 0700 hours on Monday 19 December 2005



                           National Express Group PLC

                            Pre-close trading update

National Express Group today reports on trading for the year to 31 December
2005, prior to entering its close period.  We are pleased to report that trading
for the year remains in line with our expectations.

On 1 December, we completed the Alsa transaction. The integration has started
well and we are excited by our opportunities in this new market.

Our UK divisions have performed well.  As we announced in October, we
experienced revenue loss following the July terrorist attacks but have taken
action to reduce the impact on profits.  We are continuing discussions with the
Department for Transport on Central Trains and Silverlink to extend these
franchises to November 2007 and hope to conclude negotiations early next year.

Our bus and coach operations in the UK have delivered further growth this year
and have benefited from our focus on reliability and customer service.

In North America, we had a successful school start-up and we continue to believe
that there are further opportunities for growth within the student bus market.

Whilst the Group faces increased fuel costs, prospects for next year remain in
line with our expectations and the Board will continue to utilise its cash flow
to enhance shareholder returns.

The Group's preliminary results for the year ending 31 December 2005 will be
announced on Thursday 9 March 2006.



                                  - E N D S -



•    There will be an analyst conference call at 0900 hours on Monday 19
     December 2005 - further details are available from Sara Freeman at 
     Financial Dynamics on 020 7269 7134.


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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