Facts and Figures

National Express Group

One billion journeys a year are made worldwide on National Express Group's bus, train, light rail and express coach operations. Our purpose is to improve the quality of life for all through travel, and our 40,000 employees worldwide are dedicated to Making Travel Simpler.

• 40,000 employees worldwide, c. 20,000 in the UK
• We manage more than 197 rail stations, six depots and more than 1,162 rail vehicles, and run 2,301 trains per day
• We manage a core fleet of 550 coaches and 2,000 buses within the UK
• Every week, the number of miles travelled by Travel West Midlands buses is equivalent to more than 60 times around the world
• Second largest operator of school bus services in North America, operating 15,000 vehicles in 27 states
• Largest operator of private passenger road transport in Spain, with 62 million passenger journeys per year made on 1,300 vehicles

National Express East Coast

• The East Coast franchise operated by National Express will run from 9 December 2007 – 31 March 2015
• Service covers 920 miles
• Carries over 17 million passengers a year
• Employs 3,100 staff
• The East Coast route will benefit from £30m investment from National Express

In December 2007 National Express took over responsibility for running the highly acclaimed East Coast rail service previously operated by GNER. The service links many of the major cities in the north with the capitals of England and Scotland – and carries more than 17 million passengers a year.

With significant financial investment National Express aims to be the No.1 operator of train services in the UK. This investment will:

• Increase the number of trains and seats available
• Improve the reliability and punctuality of trains (leaving and arriving on time)
• Enhance the catering offered on-board trains
• Provide free WiFi in all carriages
• Improve station and car parking facilities
• Improve safety and security around stations
• Introduce new methods for purchasing tickets
• Adopt a pro-active approach to safeguarding the environment