16 October 2014
National Express Group PLC
National Express retains and grows major Spanish coach contract, securing up to €600 million of revenue
National Express Group PLC ("National Express" or "the Group") is a leading international public transport operator, with bus, coach and rail services in the UK, Continental Europe, North Africa and North America.
National Express is delighted to announce that it has retained and grown its largest Spanish contract to have so far come up for renewal.
The Group's Spanish business, ALSA, has been awarded two contracts tendered by the Diputacion Foral of Bizkaia (the government of Bizkaia). The contracts are for regional commuter coach services across the Bilbao metropolitan area.
The contracts have been awarded for 10 years with an option for a 5 year extension. Together the contracts are worth over €40 million in annual revenue, securing ALSA over €600 million in total over the 15 years. They are due to start in the coming weeks.
This success has added significance as it not only includes one of the largest contracts ALSA currently operates - and the largest to have so far come up for renewal - it also adds new services and revenue.
This award also comes on the back of other notable successes this year, including: the retention of the Essex Thameside ('c2c') franchise for a further 15 years; the renewal of our largest Transit contract in North America - the RIDE paratransit services in Boston; and the recent award of a contract to our Joint Venture to run bus services in Bahrain, opening up the Middle Eastern region for further growth.
Dean Finch, Group Chief Executive of National Express, said: "I am extremely pleased that we have been able to secure these significant contracts through the high quality of our bid. As the largest Spanish contract to have so far come up for renewal, I am delighted we have not only retained the service, but also grown the size of the contract. We look forward to continuing to serve the people of Bizkaia for many years to come."
Notes
Bizkaia took the opportunity of the renewal process to reorganise their coach concessions. ALSA won two of the five let. These two contracts combined are larger than the previous concession ALSA operated.
Enquiries
National Express Group PLC
Anthony Vigor, Director of Policy and External Affairs 07767 425822
Michelle Dovey, Director of Capital Markets 07767 603386
Maitland
Nathalie Falco 0207 379 5151
National Express Group
More than 800m journeys a year are made worldwide on our train, bus, light rail and express coach operations. We operate services in the UK, North America, Spain, and Morocco and will shortly commence new services in Bahrain and Germany. We employ 42,000 employees.
