Editing Mobico Group (section)

==History==
===Early years===
[[File:National Express Logo.svg|thumb|National Express logo, which was formerly also the brand and name used for the company itself]]
[[File:DupleDominant.jpg|thumb|[[Duple Dominant]] bodied [[Leyland Tiger]] in [[Liverpool]] in 1982 in the original livery]]
[[File:43045 D St Pancras 1.JPG|thumb|[[Midland Mainline (train operating company)|Midland Mainline]] [[InterCity 125|High Speed Train]] at [[St Pancras railway station|London St Pancras]]]]
[[File:Travel London 9750 on 3.JPG|thumb|[[Travel London]] [[Alexander ALX400]] bodied [[Dennis Trident 2]] at [[Trafalgar Square]] in April 2008]]
In 1972, the state-owned [[National Bus Company (UK)|National Bus Company]] decided to bring together the scheduled coach services operated by its bus operating companies in the United Kingdom under one brand. [[Frederick Wood (industrialist)|Sir Frederick Wood]], a prominent businessman and industrialist, was asked to oversee the creation of this new business model and led the group as its chairman from 1972 to 1978.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 March 2003 |title=Sir Frederick Wood |website=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/mar/24/guardianobituaries.conservatives |access-date=21 September 2014}}</ref> Initially branded as ''National'', the ''National Express'' brand was first used in 1974.<ref name="history">[http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/aboutus/ourhistory.aspx National Express Group: Our History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209085435/http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/aboutus/ourhistory.aspx |date=9 February 2014 }} National Express</ref><ref name="MMC0294">{{cite web |url = http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm24/2468/2468.pdf |title = National Express Group PLC and Saltire Holdings Ltd |publisher = [[Monopolies & Mergers Commission]] |date = February 1994 |page = 3}}</ref>

With the privatisation of the National Bus Company in the 1980s, National Express was subject to a [[management buyout]] in March 1988. The management team pursued various means of diversification; during 1989, the company purchased [[Crosville Motor Services|Crosville Wales]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/content.aspx?id=798 |title = Arriva Buses Wales: history |publisher = Arriva}}</ref>

===1990s===
Starting in early 1990s, National Express' financial performance began to deteriorate; this led to a new management team taking over the company in July 1991 which had the backing of [[ECI Partners]], a mid-market private equity firm. The new team refocused the group on its core activities, leading to the sale of Crosville Wales to [[British Bus]].<ref>{{cite web |archive-url = http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120119211207/http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1996/fulltext/392c3.pdf|archive-date=19 January 2012 |url = http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1996/fulltext/392c3.pdf |title = Competition Commission report 1996 |publisher = competition-commission.org.uk |page = paragraphs 3.5 to 3.7 |url-status = usurped|no-pp=yes}}</ref> During October 1991, it purchased Speedlink, an operator of coach services between [[Gatwick Airport|Gatwick]] and [[Heathrow Airport]]s.<ref name=MMC0294/> In December 1992, National Express Group plc was floated on the [[London Stock Exchange]].<ref name=history/>

In 1993, [[Scottish Citylink]], [[Eurolines]] and [[East Midlands Airport]] were acquired.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url = http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120119211207/http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1996/fulltext/392c3.pdf |archive-date=19 January 2012|url = http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1996/fulltext/392c3.pdf |title = Competition Commission report 1996 |publisher = competition-commission.org.uk |url-status = usurped |page = 31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.east-midlands-airport-guide.co.uk/history.html |title = History of East Midlands Airport |publisher = East Midlands Airport}}</ref> During April 1995, National Express purchased [[National Express West Midlands|West Midlands Travel]], the formerly council-owned bus network of [[Birmingham]] and the [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]];<ref name=history/> it was rebranded [[National Express West Midlands|Travel West Midlands]] in September 1996. This move began the brand family of ''Travel ...'' local bus operations. [[Bournemouth Airport]] was acquired in April 1995.<ref>[http://www.bournemouthairport.com/bohweb.nsf/Content/OurHistory Bournemouth Airport History] Bournemouth Airport {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424212541/http://www.bournemouthairport.com/bohweb.nsf/Content/OurHistory |date=24 April 2011 }}</ref>

During April 1996, National Express commenced operating its first UK railway franchises, [[Gatwick Express]] and [[Midland Mainline (train operating company)|Midland Mainline]]. One year later, three other franchises were awarded, these being [[Silverlink]], [[Central Trains]] and [[ScotRail (National Express)|ScotRail]]. To comply with a [[Competition Commission|Monopolies & Mergers Commission]] ruling on it winning the [[ScotRail (brand)|ScotRail franchise]], National Express sold the [[Scottish Citylink]] operation to [[Metroline]] in August 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm?method=news.detail&id=4286&printable=1&style=_blue |title = National Express told to sell Citylink |publisher = local.gov.uk |date = 29 May 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.metroline.co.uk/about-us/history.html |title = History of Metroline |publisher = Metroline}}</ref>

In February 1997, Taybus Public Transport was acquired and rebranded [[Xplore Dundee|Travel Dundee]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://locationminibus.fr/assets/content/travel-dundee-celebrating-10-years.jpg |title = Travel Dundee – celebrating 10 years |publisher = Travel Dundee |date = 23 February 2007 |access-date = 13 March 2019}}</ref>

During September 1998, Crabtree-Harmon, the seventh-largest student transportation bus company in the United States was acquired, with 82 school bus contracts mainly in [[Missouri]], but also in other Midwest states including [[Colorado]], [[Iowa]], [[Kansas]], [[Oklahoma]] and [[Utah]]. During February 1999, Robinson Bus Service was purchased; it was followed in August 1999 by [[Durham School Services|Durham Transportation]]. These acquisitions placed National Express as one of the top three United States school bus operators.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/national-express-buys-us-school-bus-firm-1113273.html |title = National Express buys US school bus firm |work = [[The Independent]] |date = 17 August 1999}}</ref>

In May 1999, National Express purchased Australia's largest private bus operator, [[National Bus Company (Australia)|National Bus Company]].<ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130125233434/http://www2.hemscott.com/scripts/AFXnewstory.dll/text?EPIC=NEX&SerialNumber=1142&NewsType=AFR&Indate=10/05/1999 |url-status = live |archive-date = 25 January 2013 |url = http://www2.hemscott.com/scripts/AFXnewstory.dll/text?EPIC=NEX&SerialNumber=1142&NewsType=AFR&Indate=10/05/1999 |title = Acquisition of Australian urban bus operator National Bus Company |publisher = National Express |date = 10 May 1999}}</ref> National Bus Company had bus operations in [[Brisbane]], [[Melbourne]] and [[Perth]], and also held a 57% shareholding in [[Westbus]], [[Sydney]]'s largest bus operator. Westbus also had a London coach operation.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.westbus.co.uk/our-coaches-history.php |title = Westbus UK: History |publisher = Westbus UK}}</ref> In August 1999, National Express was awarded the [[M-Train|M>Train]], [[M-Tram|M>Tram]] and [[V/Line#National Express|V/Line Passenger]] rail franchises in the Australian state of [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/national-express-group-awarded-three-franchises-to-operate-passenger-train-and-tram-services-in-melbourne-and-the-state-of-victoria-in-australia-156491325.html |title = National Express Group Awarded Three Franchises |publisher = National Express |date = June 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/national-express-takes-root-in-melbourne.html |title = Nation Express takes root in Melbourne |publisher = [[Railway Gazette International]] |date = 1 October 2000}}</ref>

===2000s===
During January 2000, National Express expanded into the American market by acquiring ATC, a public transportation operator.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Express Buys ATC |url=http://www.metro-magazine.com/management-operations/news/280050/national-express-buys-atc |access-date=25 May 2015}}</ref> In July 2000, [[Prism Rail]] was purchased, though which the [[c2c]], [[Wales & Borders]], [[Wessex Trains]] and [[West Anglia Great Northern]] franchises were added to National Express' portfolio.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4458960/National-Express-buys-Prism-for-166m.html |title = National Express buys Prism for £166m |work = [[The Daily Telegraph]] |date = 19 July 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/2000/jul/19/5 |title = National Express buys Prism for £166m |work = [[The Guardian]] |date = 19 July 2000}}</ref>

In December 2002, National Express handed in its rail franchises in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], Australia, having been unable to renegotiate financial terms with the [[Government of Victoria|State Government]].<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2836793/National-Express-walks-out-of-Australian-rail-service.html |title = National Express walks out of Australian rail service |work = The Daily Telegraph |date = 17 December 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2894001/Nat-Express-pulls-back-Down-Under.html |title = Nat Express pull back Down Under |work = The Daily Telegraph |date = 3 September 2004}}</ref>

During February 2004, the London bus operations of [[Connex Bus UK|Connex]] were purchased and rebranded [[Travel London]].<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2878193/National-Express-buys-200-London-buses.html |title = National Express buys 200 London buses |work = The Daily Telegraph |date = 27 February 2004}}</ref> In April 2004, [[National Express East Anglia]] commenced operating the [[East Anglia franchise|Greater Anglia rail franchise]].<ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040104233341/http://www.sra.gov.uk/news/20031222_greater_anglia_preferred_bidder.tt2 |url-status = live |archive-date = 4 January 2004 |url = http://www.sra.gov.uk/news/20031222_greater_anglia_preferred_bidder.tt2 |title = National Express Group Announced as Preferred Bidder for New Greater Anglia Franchise |publisher = Strategic Rail Authority |date = 22 December 2003}}</ref> In September 2004, National Express sold its [[Melbourne]] bus operations to [[Ventura Bus Lines]], and [[Brisbane]] and [[Perth]] bus operations to [[Veolia Transport|Connex]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/09/03/1093939139187.html?from=storylhs |title = National Express sells buses |publisher = [[The Age]] |date = 22 September 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.finance.veolia.com/press-release-118.html |title = Connex pursues further development in Australia |publisher = Connex |date = 7 September 2004}}</ref> After being placed in administration in January 2005, Westbus was sold to [[ComfortDelGro Australia|ComfortDelGro Cabcharge]] in August 2005.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/new-westbus-owners-guarantee-jobs-services/2005/08/22/1124562790165.html |title = New Westbus owners guarantee jobs, services |work = [[Sydney Morning Herald]] |date = 22 August 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.cdcbus.com.au/Company-Profile.html |title = ComfortDelGro Cabcharge: company profile |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413022815/http://www.cdcbus.com.au/Company-Profile.html |archive-date=13 April 2015 |publisher = ComfortDelGro Cabcharge}}</ref>

In June 2005, the London bus arm of [[Tellings-Golden Miller]] was purchased by National Express, after which it was rebranded as Travel London.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.investegate.co.uk/article.aspx?id=200506010715009779M |title = National Express Group purchases the London Bus Division of Tellings Golden Miller |publisher = National Express |date = 1 June 2005}}</ref> During July 2005, National Express sold ATC to Connex.<ref>{{cite web |title=Connex, transportation division of Veolia Environnement, announces major acquisition |url=http://www.finance.veolia.com/press-release-53.html |access-date=25 May 2015}}</ref> In October 2005, the company agreed to buy most of the operations of privately owned Spanish transport operator [[ALSA (bus company)|ALSA]], which operates bus and coach services in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, and long-distance coach services to other parts of Europe. Alsa's operations in South America and China were retained by the previous owners.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4329540.stm |title = National Express in Spanish Deal |work = [[BBC News]] |date = 11 October 2005}}</ref>

In April 2007, National Express acquired Continental Auto, the second-largest bus and coach operator in Spain.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/media/corporatenews.aspx?newsyear=2007&newsitem=89 |title = National Express acquires Continental Auto |publisher = National Express |date = 27 April 2007}}</ref>

[[File:Dot2dot 1018.JPG|thumb|[[Dot2Dot]] [[Volkswagen]] in [[London]] in April 2008]]
During November 2007, South East England coach operator [[The Kings Ferry]] was purchased<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/media/corporatenews.aspx?newsyear=2007&newsitem=12 |title = The Group buys Kings Ferry Travel Group |publisher = National Express |date = 12 November 2007}}</ref> and an airport to hotel shuttle service in London branded [[Dot2Dot]] was launched.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/media/corporatenews.aspx?newsyear=2007&newsitem=68 |title = Launch of dot2dot |publisher = National Express |date = 12 November 2007}}</ref> Dot2Dot did not prove to be commercially viable and thus ceased operations in November 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=2157&categoryid=0 |title = National Express gives up on Dot2Dot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820010045/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=2157&categoryid=0 |archive-date=20 August 2012 |publisher = Bus & Coach Professional |date = 3 November 2008}}</ref>

In November 2007, National Express announced plans to re-brand all of their operations under a new unified National Express identity. It was intended to achieve greater recognition for all the group companies, to coincide with recent acquisitions and after current rail operations had improved in reliability to warrant association with the established express coach image. It coincided with the appointment of a group director for all UK operations and relocation of the head office from [[London]] to [[Birmingham]], bringing all operations under a single strategic management structure. Day-to-day management remained within individual companies.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jameson |first=Angela |date=12 November 2007 |title=Army of franchises gets new uniform |work=The Times |location=London |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article2852541.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612032222/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article2852541.ece |archive-date=12 June 2011 |access-date=14 September 2023}}</ref>

During February 2007, the Department for Transport announced that National Express, along with [[Arriva]], [[FirstGroup|First]], and [[Virgin Rail Group]], had been shortlisted to lodge bids for the [[InterCity East Coast]] franchise.<ref>{{cite news |title=Four in East Coast rail shortlist |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6378159.stm |date=20 February 2007 |work=BBC News Online |access-date=18 October 2012 |archive-date=22 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222081041/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6378159.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2007, the Department for Transport awarded the Intercity East Coast franchise to National Express, leading to the creation of National Express East Coast (NXEC) shortly thereafter.<ref>{{cite press release |url= http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/franchises/icecf1/nxecawardedcontract |publisher=[[Department for Transport]] |title=National Express awarded contract for growth on InterCity East Coast |access-date=14 August 2007 |date=14 August 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071219165508/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/franchises/icecf1/nxecawardedcontract |archive-date = 19 December 2007}}</ref><ref name="BBC6945367">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6945367.stm |title=National Express wins rail route |date=14 August 2007 |access-date=1 July 2009 |work=BBC News Online |archive-date=22 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222000026/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6945367.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> Under the terms of its franchise agreement, National Express committed to paying a £1.4-billion premium to the Department of Transport over a time span of seven years and four months. However, numerous rail analysts promptly voiced concerns that the company had paid too much for the franchise, and had effectively repeated GNER's mistake in order to secure the franchise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://adamsmith.org/blog/transport/on-the-buses-200909044062/ |title=On the buses |first=Nigel |last=Hawkins |publisher=Adam Smith Institute |date=4 September 2009 |access-date=18 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805170748/http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/transport/on-the-buses-200909044062 |archive-date=5 August 2012}}</ref><ref name = "grail rail2015">{{cite magazine |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/operations/franchises/from-poisoned-chalice-to-holy-grail |title = From poisoned chalice to Holy Grail? |date = 7 January 2015 |magazine=Rail }}</ref> On 9 December 2007, [[National Express East Coast]] commenced operations, taking over from [[Great North Eastern Railway]].<ref name = "bbc dec2007">{{cite web |url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/content/articles/2007/12/06/gner_national_express_rebrand_feature.shtml |title = The loco's new clothes |work= BBC News |publisher = BBC |date = 6 December 2007}}</ref>

In May 2009, National Express sold Travel London and [[Travel Surrey]] to [[Abellio (transport company)|Abellio]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/media/corporatenews.aspx?newsyear=2009&newsitem=43 |title = National Express Group plc agreement to sell Travel London |publisher = National Express |date = 21 May 2009}}</ref>

===Operational safety concerns===
On 3 January 2007, a speeding National Express coach overturned on the [[M4 motorway|M4]]/[[M25 motorway|M25]] slip road, leaving three passengers dead. The driver was jailed for five years.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 January 2007 |title=Safety questions begin after motorway coach crash leaves two dead and up to 60 injured |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/jan/05/transport.world |access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref>

In July 2009, a junior transport minister, the [[Gillingham (UK Parliament constituency)|Gillingham]] MP [[Paul Clark (British politician)|Paul Clark]], listed a series of concerns to National Express in a letter following a meeting with an employee of National Express East Coast who lives in his constituency. The worker claimed that, due to reduced maintenance checks, some trains were in use with defective brakes, an allegation that was strongly denied by the company, which stated it would "never compromise on safety". He wrote: "As a result of reduced maintenance checks, 'some long-haul sets [trains] are in use with brake defects'. Increasing cuts in staff combined with an increasing pressure to ensure that trains run safely has resulted in fears among staff that a major accident is 'just around the corner'." Passengers, he added, "have been 'poisoned' as a result of coffee machines not being cleaned correctly, with cleaning fluids left in situ". The minister said he was "shocked and appalled at the information with which I've been provided. You will understand that these allegations are exceptionally serious".<ref name="Accident">{{cite news |last=Teather |first=David |date=27 July 2009 |title=National Express's east coast line is 'an accident waiting to happen' |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/jul/06/national-express-safety-warning |access-date=27 July 2009}}</ref>

School bus drivers in the US have raised concerns about the safety of the buses run by Durham, a subsidiary of National Express, and the second-largest operator of school bus services in North America. According to representatives of Durham bus drivers, fluid leaks, tyres that need to be replaced, black mould and non-functional emergency equipment are regular concerns, whilst workers continued to operate buses while sick because they cannot afford to miss a day of work and drivers are not paid for all the time they work.<ref>{{cite web |last=Deniz |first=Kara |title=Durham School Bus Drivers Speak Out About Safety, Human Rights Concerns |url=http://teamster.org/content/durham-school-bus-drivers-speak-out-about-safety-human-rights-concerns |access-date=18 April 2013 |publisher=Teamsters}}</ref>

===Default on East Coast rail franchise===
[[File:King's Cross railway station MMB 13 43238.jpg|thumb|[[National Express East Coast]] [[InterCity 125|High Speed Train]] at [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]] in July 2009]]
By 2009, National Express East Coast had come under increasing financial pressure due to various factors, including compounding rises in fuel prices and the poor economic climate of the time, commonly known as the [[Great Recession]]. In contrast to the company's projected revenue increases during its franchise, NXEC's actual operating income (generated primarily from ticket sales) had decreased by 1 percent during the first half of 2009.<ref name="BBC8128430">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8128430.stm |title=Q&A: National Express and East Coast line |date=1 July 2009 |access-date=1 July 2009 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |archive-date=30 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130005414/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8128430.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> According to ''Rail'', the franchise had quickly garnered a reputation for cost-cutting and a decline in service levels, particularly in terms of the onboard catering.<ref name = "grail rail2015"/> It had also introduced various new charges, such as a £2.50 per journey leg for seat reservations.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[National Rail]] |url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/tocs_maps/tocs/gr/details.html##Ticketing_and_fares |title=Company Information: National Express East Coast |date=16 June 2009 |access-date=1 July 2009 |archive-date=19 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619044506/http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/tocs_maps/tocs/gr/details.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[National Express]] |url=http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/nx1/media/news/sub_news/pr2009/2009-05-12b/ |title=Seat reservations on East Coast and East Anglia train services |date=12 May 2009 |access-date=3 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228184205/http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/nx1/media/news/sub_news/pr2009/2009-05-12b |archive-date=28 February 2010}}</ref><ref name="BBC8127851">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8127851.stm |title=East Coast rail to be state-run |date=1 July 2009 |access-date=1 July 2009 |work=BBC News |archive-date=12 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012000316/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8127851.stm |url-status=live}}</ref>

During April 2009, National Express confirmed that the company was still pursuing talks with the government over possible financial assistance with the franchise, either through a reduction in the premium due or some other form of assistance.<ref name=Guardian3May09>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/may/03/national-express-rail-franchise |title=National Express in talks over scrapping east coast franchise |work=The Guardian |date=3 May 2009 |access-date=3 May 2009 |location=London |first=Dan |last=Milmo |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004224150/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/may/03/national-express-rail-franchise |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name = "grail rail2015"/> During these negotiations, the company had reportedly offered to pay over £100&nbsp;million to be released from its commitment to operate the franchise.<ref name="BBC8128430"/> In July 2009, the [[Department for Transport]] announced that it would take the [[National Express East Coast]] franchise into public ownership at the end of the year after National Express announced it would not invest any further funds into the franchise, effectively declaring it planned to default.<ref>{{cite news |last=Milmo |first=Dan |date=1 July 2009 |title=£30bn shortfall threatens rail and road plans |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/jul/01/transport-east-coast-mainline-nationalised |access-date=1 July 2009}}</ref> In defaulting on the franchise, National Express directly incurred losses of £72&nbsp;million by forfeiting bonds.<ref name="BBC8128430"/> [[Directly Operated Railways]] took over the East Coast franchise on 14 November 2009.<ref name="bbchandover">{{cite news |date=5 November 2009 |title=East Coast rail change confirmed |work=[[BBC News Online]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/8343769.stm |access-date=5 November 2009}}</ref>

The franchise failure sparked public and industry calls for the permanent public ownership of the InterCity East Coast franchise, or even the complete scrapping of the entire franchise system.<ref name="BBC8128430"/> In November 2009, the government announced that [[National Express East Anglia]] would not be granted a three-year extension that it had otherwise qualified for; this was reportedly a result of the East Coast default.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8380108.stm |title= National Express loses East Anglia rail franchise |date =26 November 2009 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Millward |first=David |date=26 November 2009 |title=National Express loses East Anglia franchise three years early |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/6659587/National-Express-loses-East-Anglia-franchise-three-years-early.html}}</ref> However, National Express were subsequently granted an extension until October 2011, followed by another through to February 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Osborne |first=Alistair |date=15 September 2010 |title=National Express wins extension to East Anglia rail franchise |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/8002925/National-Express-wins-extension-to-East-Anglia-rail-franchise.html}}</ref>

===Prospective takeover===
[[File:Parks of Hamilton HSK645 (8685502179).jpg|thumb|[[Park's Motor Group|Park's of Hamilton]] [[Plaxton Elite]] bodied [[Volvo B9R]] in [[Bolton]] in April 2013]]
With the company's finances under stress largely as a result of having overbid for the [[National Express East Coast]] rail franchise, National Express became a takeover target in 2009. In June 2009, a takeover offer from fellow transport operator [[FirstGroup]] was rejected.<ref name="NatExDeclinesBid">{{cite news |date=29 June 2009 |title=National Express turns down bid |work=BBC News |publisher=[[BBC|British Broadcasting Corporation]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8123717.stm |access-date=29 June 2009}}</ref> On 3 September 2009, National Express' largest shareholder, Spain's Cosmen family with 18.5%, and [[CVC Capital Partners]] made a takeover offer of £765&nbsp;million for the company.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/media/corporatenews.aspx?newsyear=2009&newsitem=35 |title = Statement regarding possible offer |publisher = National Express |date = 3 September 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8236388.stm |title = National Express gets £765m bid |work = BBC News |date = 3 September 2009}}</ref> The [[Takeover Panel]] set a deadline of 11 September 2009 for all prospective bids.<ref name="NatExBidDeadline">{{cite news |last=Bowker |first=John |date=8 May 2009 |title=UPDATE 2-National Express suitors given Sept bid deadline |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/nationalexpress-takeoverpanel-idUSL536437020090805 |access-date=10 September 2009}}</ref>

During September 2009, National Express agreed to allow the Cosmen/CVC consortium to undertake [[due diligence]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/media/corporatenews.aspx?newsyear=2009&newsitem=33 |title = Statement regarding possible offer |publisher = National Express |date = 11 September 2009}}</ref> During the following month, the Cosmen/CVC consortium had reportedly reached an agreement to sell the UK bus and rail operations to rival transport operator [[Stagecoach Group]] if its offer was successful.<ref name="NatExSideBid">{{cite news |last1=Power |first1=Helen |last2=Costello |first2=Miles |date=7 September 2009 |title=National Express looks at options beyond CVC |work=The Times |location=London |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article6825455.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612184300/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article6825455.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 June 2011 |access-date=10 September 2009}}</ref> The deadline for offers was subsequently extended to 16 October 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/media/corporatenews.aspx?newsyear=2009&newsitem=32 |title = Statement regarding possible offer |publisher = National Express |date = 25 September 2009}}</ref>

On 16 October 2009, the Cosmen/CVC consortium announced that they had withdrawn their offer.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/media/corporatenews.aspx?newsyear=2009&newsitem=31 |title = Statement regarding possible offer |publisher = National Express |date = 16 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=16 October 2009 |title=Bid failure hits National Express |work=BBC News Online |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8310047.stm |access-date=25 October 2009}}</ref> That same day, Stagecoach submitted its own all-share bid to acquire National Express.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/media/corporatenews.aspx?newsyear=2009&newsitem=30 |title = Statement regarding press speculation |publisher = National Express |date = 19 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=19 October 2009 |title=Rival renews National Express bid |work=BBC News Online |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8313780.stm |access-date=25 October 2009}}</ref> This, too, did not proceed and, in November 2009, National Express announced it would raise the necessary capital through a share issue.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/media/corporatenews.aspx?newsyear=2009&newsitem=27 |title = Publication of Prospectus |publisher = National Express |date = 11 November 2009}}</ref>

===2010s===
During February 2013, [[National Express Germany]] was awarded two regional rail contracts by the [[Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr]], Zweckverband Nahverkehr Rheinland and Zweckverband Nahverkehr Westfalen-Lippe authorities that commenced in December 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/media/corporatenews.aspx?newsyear=2013&newsitem=785 |title = National Express celebrates German rail success |publisher = National Express |date = 7 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/9856378/National-Express-plans-German-invasion.html |title = National Express plans German invasion |work = The Daily Telegraph |date = 7 February 2013}}</ref>

In January 2015, the [[Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft]] announced that National Express had been selected to operate the [[Nuremberg S-Bahn]] system from December 2018. It was to have been the first [[Deutsche Bahn]] S-Bahn network to be taken over by a private operator.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 December 2015 |title=National Express clears Nuremberg S-Bahn legal hurdle |url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/commuter-rail/national-express-set-to-sign-nuremberg-s-bahn-contract.html |access-date=10 April 2016 |publisher=Rail Journal}}</ref> However, in October 2016, National Express elected to pull out, citing a delay in the ability to order new rolling stock while a challenge brought on by Deutsche Bahn was resolved, would make its bid unviable.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/national-express-pulls-out-of-nuernberg-s-bahn-bidding.html |title = National Express pulls out of Nuernburg S-Bahn bidding |publisher = Railway Gazette International |date = 25 October 2016}}</ref>

In June 2015, it was announced that the parts 2 and 3 of the Rhein-Ruhr-Express which will be introduced in 2018 will be operated by National Express. This includes [[Regional-Express]] services RE4, RE5 and RE6 in [[Northrhine-Westphalia]].<ref>{{cite web |date=6 June 2015 |title=Abellio und National Express sollen den Betrieb der RRX-Linien übernehmen |url=http://vrr.de/de/vrr/presse/meldungen/archiv/2015/00947/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620090414/http://www.vrr.de/de/vrr/presse/meldungen/archiv/2015/00947/index.html |archive-date=20 June 2015 |access-date=11 October 2015 |website=vrr.de |publisher=[[Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr]] AöR |language=de }}</ref>

In December 2016, coach operator Clarkes of London was purchased with 56 vehicles.<ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://cbwmagazine.com/nx-buys-clarkes-of-london/ |title = NX buys Clarkes of London |magazine = [[Coach & Bus Week]] |date = 16 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.route-one.net/articles/Business%20deals/National_Express_swoops_in_to_buy_Clarkes_of_London |title = National Express swoops in to buy Clarkes of London |publisher = Route-One |date = 17 December 2016}}</ref> In March 2020, [[Lucketts Travel]] was purchased.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200316073718/https://www.route-one.net/news/lucketts-travel-group-purchased-by-national-express/ |url-status = live |archive-date = 16 March 2020 |url = https://www.route-one.net/news/lucketts-travel-group-purchased-by-national-express/ |title = Lucketts Travel Group purchased by National Express |publisher = Route One |date = 2 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title = National Express acquires Lucketts Travel Group |magazine = Coach & Bus Week |issue = 1434 |date = 3 March 2020 |page = 12}}</ref>

===Takeover attempt and rebranding===
During September 2021, it was reported that National Express had entered into talks to acquire Stagecoach Group.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58636437 |title=National Express in talks to buy transport rival Stagecoach |newspaper=BBC News |date=21 September 2021 |access-date=22 September 2021}}</ref> In December 2021, a deal was agreed between the boards of the two companies: however, it was subject to both shareholder approval and regulatory scrutiny.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/business/scottish-bus-group-stagecoach-and-national-express-combine-to-create-ps19-billion-transport-giant-3493930 |title=Scottish bus group Stagecoach and National Express combine to create £1.9 billion transport giant |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=14 December 2021 |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211214112829/https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/uk/stagecoach/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=273&newsid=1536056 |url = https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/uk/stagecoach/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=273&newsid=1536056 |title = Sale of Scottish Citylink stake and the retain and customer service activities of Megabus UK and Falcon |publisher = Stagecoach Group |date = 14 December 2021|archive-date=14 December 2021}}</ref> Having originally recommended shareholders accept the National Express offer, in March 2022, the Stagecoach board of directors withdrew its recommendation in favour of a takeover offer from a [[DWS Group|DWS]] managed investment fund.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/mar/09/stagecoach-opts-for-rival-takeover-in-blow-to-national-express-merger-plan |title = Stagecoach opts for rival takeover in blow to National Express merger plan |work = The Guardian |date = 9 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Ground-Transport/German-investment-group-wins-battle-for-Stagecoach |title = German investment group wins battle for Stagecoach |publisher = businesstravelnewseurope.com |first = Rob |last = Gill |date = 23 May 2022}}</ref>

In January 2023, the coach excursion business of seven National Express Transport Solutions companies (Coliseum Coaches, Lucketts Travel, Mortons Travel, Solent Tours, Stewarts Tours, Woods Tours and Worthing Coaches) were brought together under the 'Touromo' brand. Touromo aimed to provide day trips and short breaks to destinations across the UK and Europe as one combined brand, and National Express planned to expand the brand outside the West Midlands and South East England to operate across the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |url=https://www.route-one.net/coach/national-express-targets-coach-tourism-with-touromo/ |title=National Express targets coach tourism with Touromo |work=routeone |date=10 January 2023 |access-date=10 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Peat |first=Chris |date=10 January 2023 |title=NatEx creates new Touromo coach holidays brand |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/natex-backs-new-touromo-coach-holidays-brand/ |work=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Peterborough |access-date=10 January 2023}}</ref> Six months later, however, it was announced that Touromo was to cease operations and that National Express Transport Solutions was to cease offering day trips and holiday excursions in October 2023.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |url= http://www.route-one.net/news/touromo-to-go-as-natex-leaves-day-trips-and-holidays/ |title=Touromo to go as NatEx leaves day trips and holidays |work=routeone |date=10 July 2023 |access-date=10 July 2023}}</ref>

In June 2023, National Express changed its name to Mobico Group.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/business/2023/05/10/change-of-name-for-national-express/|title=Change of name for National Express Group |newspaper=[[Express & Star]] |date=11 May 2023 |access-date=10 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230621041057/https://www.mobicogroup.com/media/news-releases/2023/change-of-name-1/ |url-status = live |archive-date = 21 June 2023 |url = https://www.mobicogroup.com/media/news-releases/2023/change-of-name-1/ |title = Change of Name |publisher = Mobico Group |date = 20 June 2023}}</ref>

In August 2024, Mobico announced that they had begun the process of selling its North American school bus division, including [[Durham School Services]], in order to reduce its debt.<ref name=":1" />

In April 2025, it was announced that chief executive Ignacio Garat would depart at the end of the month after nearly five years. Mobico chair Phil White, who served as CEO of National Express Group between 1997 and 2006, took over on an interim basis as the search for a successor gets underway.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Guy |date=2025-04-29 |title=National Express owner's chief executive runs out of road |url=https://www.cityam.com/national-express-owners-chief-executive-runs-out-of-road/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=City AM |language=en-GB}}</ref>