National Express signs UK's first Bus Alliance

National Express helps launch the UK's first Bus Alliance

National Express Group PLC ("National Express") is pleased to announce that the UK's first Bus Alliance, in the West Midlands, was launched last week with the first delivery board meeting taking place. The Alliance, which National Express actively helped develop and builds on our existing award-winning partnership, will run for five years until 2020. As part of the Alliance, £150m will be invested in new vehicles, technology and road improvements.

It was launched by the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority (ITA), made up of the seven leaders of the region's metropolitan councils; Centro, the region's transport delivery body; and National Express West Midlands and other local bus operators.

The Alliance includes the following targets:

·     5% increase in bus patronage

·     Improving bus journey times during rush hour

·     Reducing particulate and NOx emissions by 50%

·     Increased investment in highways infrastructure

·     Improved on-board services including more next stop announcements and WiFi

·     The ability to pay with your phone and smartwatch

·     Fare increases limited to RPI+1

A joint Delivery Board has been formed with members of the ITA, Centro, local highways officials, National Express West Midlands and other local bus operators. The Board will ensure the Alliance delivers on its targets and met for the first time last Friday, 27^th November.

Dean Finch, National Express Group Chief Executive, said: "This Alliance is a first for the UK. We believe a partnership approach is key in driving excellent customer service standards and passenger growth. This agreement will quickly deliver further benefits to West Midlands bus passengers today. Securing this five year Alliance is a positive and significant development for our UK Bus business."

Councillor Roger Lawrence, the chair of the ITA, said: "The Bus Alliance is a national first which will deliver massive benefits for passengers over the next five years. Together we will drive up standards and continue to develop the network through the joint investment of £150 million. It will further strengthen the relationship between our West Midlands local authorities, the transport delivery body and all bus operators, large and small."

Notes to Editors

National Express Group PLC ("National Express") is a leading international public transport group, operating bus, coach, rail and tram services across the UK, continental Europe, North Africa, North America and Bahrain.

National Express is the market leader in the UK's largest urban bus market outside of London. Services are operated from ten garages across the West Midlands and Coventry. We also run bus services in Dundee. In addition, we operate the Midland Metro light rail service between Birmingham and Wolverhampton.