Trading Statement

National Express Group PLC
27 June 2005


For announcement at 0700 hours on 27 June 2005



                           National Express Group PLC
                            Pre-close trading update

National Express Group today reports on trading for the six months to 30 June
2005, prior to entering its close period.

The Group is pleased to report that earnings remain in line with expectations
and that it continues to generate strong operating cashflow. The Group will be
meeting with analysts this week.

Our trains division is trading well.  The recent focus on improving operational
performance has resulted in the Group currently running seven of the UK's top
nine best performing train operating companies.

Following receipt in early June of the Invitation to Tenders for Greater Western
and Thameslink/GN franchises, we are preparing our bids for submission in
September. We continue to work closely with the Strategic Rail Authority and now
the Department for Transport on franchise remapping, in particular concerning
the future of Central Trains, Midland Mainline and Silverlink.

The coach division has experienced sustained passenger growth following an
increase in the number of best value fares offered and further improvements to
the route network.  We have continued with our strategy of investing in customer
facilities and developing our product offering, as more passengers are attracted
to the coach network.

Despite increases in fuel costs, our bus operations are trading in line with
expectations.  In the West Midlands, passenger growth remains a challenge,
particularly amongst concessionary fare travellers. In London, we were pleased
to complete the acquisition of the Tellings Golden Miller bus operations which
has doubled our presence in this growing market.

In North America, we are nearing the end of another successful school bus bid
season and have experienced good organic growth at a number of our school
contracts. We have maintained our market leading margins in this area.  The
recent trend of stabilisation in our public transit operations has continued.

We have completed the restatement of the Group's 2004 results under
International Financial Reporting Standards and have issued these today in a
separate announcement.

Our interim results will be announced on 28 July 2005.



                                   - E ND S -

•         There will be an analyst conference call at 0930 hours on Monday 27
June 2005  - further details are available from Dido Laurimore at Financial
Dynamics on 020 7269 7144.



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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