Shortlisted for Southern rail

RNS Number : 7017B

National Express Group PLC

20 August 2008

 



National Express Group plc shortlisted for Southern rail franchise

National Express Group plc is pleased to confirm it has been shortlisted by the Department for Transport ('DfT') to bid for the Southern rail franchise.

Commenting on today's announcement Richard Bowker, National Express Group Chief Executive said: 'We are pleased to have reached the next stage of the competition for this very important franchise. Working closely with local stakeholders, we will develop an innovative and deliverable bid that will present a compelling case for National Express to be awarded the Southern franchise. 

Our bid will bring outstanding levels of service to the millions of customers using the railway every year'

Notes to editors

-         On 14 August 2007, National Express was awarded the franchise to operate the UK’s premier intercity railway, National Express East Coast.

-         Gatwick Express which now forms part of the Greater Southern franchise was operated by National Express until June 22 2008. During this time it was one of the most successful franchises in the UK, both in terms of operational performance and customer satisfaction. 

-         National Express Group serves more than one billion passengers a year worldwide on its bus, train, light rail and express coach and airport operations. We have leading positions in each of our markets - the United Kingdom, North America and Spain.

-         National Express Group is one of the UK’s leading train operating companies with three franchises within its portfolio - National Express East Coast, c2c, and National Express East Anglia incorporating Stansted Express.

For further information, please contact: 

National Express Group PLC
Gareth Wright, Acting Group Finance Director	0207 506 4306
Joy Williams, Head of News	0121 460 8401
Nicole Lander, Communications Director	0121 460 8419
Maitland
Neil Bennett or Suzanne Bartch	020 7379 5151

 

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