Editing Mobico Group

{{short description|Transport company headquartered in Birmingham, England}}
{{redirect|National Express|the related coach operator in the UK|National Express Coaches|the Divine Comedy song|National Express (song)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Mobico Group
| logo = Mobico_Group_Logo.svg
| image = National Express Coach at Birmingham Coach Station.png
| image_caption = National Express Coach at [[Birmingham Coach Station]], the company’s headquarters
| former_name = National Express Group plc
| type = [[Public limited company|Public limited]]
| traded_as = {{LSE|MCG}}
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1972}}
| founder = [[National Bus Company (UK)|National Bus Company]]
| location = [[Birmingham]], England<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mobicogroup.com/contact-us/|title=Contact us|publisher=Mobico|access-date=12 February 2025}}</ref>
| key_people = {{ubl|Helen Weir ([[Chairperson]])|Ignacio Garat ([[Chief executive officer|Group Chief Executive]])}}
| area_served = {{ubl|Europe|North America|Middle East|South Korea}}
| industry = [[Transportation industry|Transport]]
| services = 
| revenue = {{increase}} [[Pound sterling|£]]3,412.4&nbsp;million (2024)<ref name="results">{{cite web |title=Preliminary Results 2024 |url=https://www.mobicogroup.com/media/reddcyhi/mobico-group-plc-annual-report-2024.pdf|publisher=National Express Group|access-date=29 April 2025}}</ref>
| operating_income = {{increase}} [[Pound sterling|£]]187.7&nbsp;million (2024)<ref name="results"/>
| net_income = {{decrease}} [[Pound sterling|£]](793.8)&nbsp;million (2024)<ref name="results"/>
| num_employees = 47,700 (2025)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mobicogroup.com/about-us/|title=About us|publisher=Mobico Group|access-date=10 February 2025}}</ref>
| homepage = {{URL|mobicogroup.com}}
| subsid = {{ubli
   | [[Clarkes of London]]
   | [[Durham School Services]]
   | [[The Kings Ferry]]
   | [[Lucketts Travel]]
   | [[National Express Coaches]]
   | [[National Express Coventry]]
   | [[National Express Germany]]
   | [[National Express West Midlands]]
   }}
}}

'''Mobico Group''', formerly '''National Express Group''', is a British multinational public transport company with headquarters in [[Birmingham]], England.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |url = https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02590560 |title = Mobico Group plc |publisher =  [[Companies House]]}}</ref> Domestically it currently operates bus and coach services under brands including [[National Express Coaches|National Express]]. The company also operates transport services including trains abroad: in the [[Republic of Ireland]], United States, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Malta, Germany, Bahrain, Morocco, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and South Korea, and long-distance coach services across Europe. It is listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] and is a constituent of the [[FTSE 250 Index]].

==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>

==Operations==
[[File:NATIONAL EXPRESS West Midlands - Flickr - secret coach park.jpg|thumb|[[Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC]] bus in  [[Birmingham]], operated by [[National Express West Midlands]]]]
[[File:National Express Touromo (Lucketts Coaches) BV69 LTF.jpg|thumb|Touromo [[Mercedes-Benz Tourismo]] operated by Lucketts Coaches in June 2023]]
[[File:0078JFR.jpg|thumb|[[ALSA (bus company)|ALSA]] [[Sunsundegui]] coach in Spain]]
[[File:Durham School Services 01089.jpg|thumb|[[Durham School Services]] school bus in [[New York City]]]]
[[File:BF21CZU National Express 332 Scania K410EB6 with Caetano Levante 3 bodywork (52417865671).jpg|thumb|A National Express [[Caetano Levante]] coach at [[Luton Airport]] in September 2022]]
National Express' operations are summarised below:<ref name="businesses">[http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/aboutus/ourbusinesses.aspx National Express Group: Our businesses] National Express</ref>

===Europe===
====Bus and coach====
The bus and coach services operated by the group are:

=====Bus=====
* AirLinks (contract bus operation at UK airports)
* [[National Express West Midlands]] (Major bus operations in [[Birmingham]] and the rest of the [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]])
**[[National Express Coventry]] (bus operation in and around [[Coventry]], a subsidiary of National Express West Midlands)
**West Midlands Bus on Demand (Demand Responsive Transport in the Coventry area)

=====Coach=====
* [[National Express Coaches]] (long-distance express and airport coach services in the UK)
* National Express Transport Solutions 
** [[Lucketts Travel]] (private coach hire)
** [[The Kings Ferry]] (private coach hire)
** Clarkes of London (private coach hire)
** Woods Coaches (private coach hire and tours)
** Worthing Coaches (private coach hire and tours)
** Coliseum Coaches (private coach hire and tours)
** Solent Coaches (private coach hire and tours)
* [[ALSA (bus company)|ALSA]] including Continental-Auto (coach services in Spain and Western Europe)
* Dublin Express (Dublin and Belfast services to [[Dublin Airport]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/dublin-express-plans-to-go-from-underdog-to-big-dog/a693980932.html|title=Dublin Express plans to go from underdog to big dog|date=6 August 2023|website=www.independent.ie|accessdate=7 April 2024}}</ref>
* In 2016, National Express coach tickets are distributed through Europe by the online booking platform [[SoBus]].<ref name=":0" />

In July 2023, National Express announced they would be ceasing the operation of coach tours having only launched the Touromo brand of coach tours in January the same year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.touromo.com/update/ |title=Update |publisher=Tourismo |access-date=12 July 2023}}</ref>

====Railway====

[[National Express Germany]] operates a number of train services in the German state of [[North Rhine-Westphalia]].<ref>{{cite web |date=6 February 2013 |title=Neues Gesicht bei den Nahverkehrsbetreibern in NRW |url=http://www.vrr.de/de/vrr/presse/meldungen/archiv/2013/00456/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023064952/http://www.vrr.de/de/vrr/presse/meldungen/archiv/2013/00456/index.html |archive-date=23 October 2013 |access-date=9 October 2013 |publisher=[[Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr]] }}</ref>

* [[Wupper-Express]] (RE 4), from December 2020
* [[Rhein-Express]] (RE/RRX 5), from June 2019
* [[Westfalen-Express]] (RE/RRX 6), from December 2019
* [[Rhein-Münsterland-Express]] (RE 7), from December 2015
* [[Rhein-Wupper-Bahn]] (RB 48), from December 2015

Following the financial difficulties of Abellio GmbH, National Express was awarded an emergency contract to operate further services in North Rhine-Westphalia from February 2022 to run for two years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Concessions Given to Other Operators |date=16 December 2021 |url=https://railway-news.com/abellio-rail-folds-in-germany-concessions-given-to-other-operators/ |access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref>
* [[NRW-Express]] (RE/RRX 1) Aachen-Hamm
* [[Rhein-Hellweg-Express]] (RE11) Düsseldorf-Kassel.

ALSA Rail operates [[freight train]]s and [[heritage railway]]s in Spain.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cityam.com/mobico-national-express-owner-revs-up-as-north-american-sale-gets-underway/|title=Mobico shares jump as National Express owner reports surge in profit|date=21 August 2024|newspaper=City AM|access-date=23 April 2024}}</ref>

====Accessible Transport====
* National Express Accessible Transport (Door-to-door transport service for anyone who lives in the urban areas of the West Midlands who find it difficult or impossible to use conventional public transport.)

===USA and Canada===
====Bus====
* National Express Transit (transit and paratransit bus operation in the US, formed in 2012)
**[[Jackson Transit System|JATRAN]]
**[[Kern Transit]]
**[[Manteca Transit]]
**[[Merced County Transit]]
**[[Victor Valley Transit Authority]]
**[[Westmoreland County Transit Authority]]
* A&S Transportation (school bus operations in Florida)
* A1A Transportation (school bus operations in Florida)
* Aristocrat Limousine and Bus (limo and charter bus service in New Jersey)
* Cook DuPage Transportation (paratransit service in Chicago area)
* Diamond Transportation (paratransit and shuttle service in Washington, DC area, acquired 2016)<ref>{{cite web |title=National Express acquires Diamond Transportation Services |url=http://www.metro-magazine.com/management-operations/news/717557/national-express-acquires-diamond-transportation-services |access-date=17 October 2018}}</ref>
* [[Durham School Services]] (school bus operation in the US)
* Monroe School Transportation (school and charter bus operations in Rochester, New York)
* New Dawn Transit (school bus operations in New York City)
* Petermann Transportation (school bus and special service bus operation in US, acquired 2011)<ref>{{cite web |title=National Express acquires Petermann Partners, Inc. for $200 million – National Express Group PLC |url=https://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/newsmedia/corporate-news/2011/national-express-acquires-petermann-partners-inc-for-200-million/ |access-date=17 October 2018}}</ref>
* Quality Bus Service (school bus operations in Orange County, New York)
* Queen City Transportation (school and charter bus operations in Ohio, acquired 2017)<ref>{{cite web |date=9 November 2017 |title=National Express LLC-Acquisition of Control-Queen City Transportation, LLC |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/11/09/2017-24429/national-express-llc-acquisition-of-control-queen-city-transportation-llc |access-date=17 October 2018 |website=Federal Register}}</ref>
* [[Stock Transportation]] (school bus operation in Canada)
* Suburban Paratransit (paratransit service in New York)
* Total Transit (transit and paratransit service in Arizona)<ref>{{cite web| title = Home| work = totalride| access-date = 10 October 2021| url = https://www.totalride.com/}}</ref>
* Trans Express (shuttle, charter, tour, and casino service in New York, acquired 2015)<ref>{{cite web |date=1 May 2015 |title=National Express Transit Corporation-Acquisition of Control-Trans Express, Inc., and Rainbow Management Service Inc. |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/05/01/2015-10209/national-express-transit-corporation-acquisition-of-control-trans-express-inc-and-rainbow-management |access-date=17 October 2018 |website=Federal Register}}</ref>
* Trinity Transportation (charter and school service in Michigan, acquired 2017)<ref>{{cite web |title=Announcing Trinity Transportation Acquired by National Express {{!}} %%sitename |date=9 February 2017 |url=https://trinitytransportation.com/2017/02/09/announcing-trinity-transportation-acquired-national-express/ |access-date=17 October 2018}}</ref>
* White Plains Bus (charter service in New York)
* In July 2014, National Express partners with Canadian-based online booking platform [[Busbud]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=9 July 2014 |title=Busbud Bags $9M For Its Coach Travel Booking Platform |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/07/09/busbud-series-a/ |access-date=23 July 2014 |publisher=[[Techcrunch]]}}</ref>

===Middle East===
====Bus====
In February 2015, the Bahrain Public Transport Company in which National Express holds a 50% shareholding commenced operating a 10-year concession in [[Bahrain]].<ref>[http://www.mtt.gov.bh/en/press-centre/press-releases/300914 Ministry of Transportation Appoints New Public Bus Operator] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512165821/http://www.mtt.gov.bh/en/press-centre/press-releases/300914 |date=12 May 2016 }} Ministry of Transport & Telecommunications 30 September 2014</ref>

==Former operations==
===Europe===
====Bus and coach====
=====Bus=====
[[File:Travel Surrey 8708 R508 SJM.JPG|thumb|[[Travel Surrey]] [[Plaxton Pointer]] bodied [[Dennis Dart]] in [[Byfleet]] in December 2008]]
In May 2009, National Express sold some of its bus operations to [[Abellio (transport company)|Abellio]]:
* [[Travel London]] (bus operation under contract to [[Transport for London]] in [[London]])
* [[Travel Surrey]] (bus operation [[Surrey]] and [[South West (London sub region)|South West London]] – a subsidiary of Travel London)

In December 2020, National Express sold its [[Xplore Dundee]] business to [[McGill's Bus Services]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/xplore-dundee-and-xplore-more-sold-to-greenock-based-firm-mcgills-buses/amp/ |title = Bus Firm Xplore Dundee Sold to McGill's Services |work = [[Evening Telegraph (Dundee)|Evening Telegraph]] |date = 22 December 2020}}</ref>

=====Coach=====
* [[Scottish Citylink]] sold to [[Metroline]] in August 1998 in order to comply with a [[Competition Commission]] requirement for National Express to operate the [[ScotRail (National Express)|ScotRail]] rail franchise
* [[City2City]] an express coach services in Germany that ceased on 14 October 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2014/09/national-express-exits-german-coach-business/ |title = National Express exits German coach business |publisher = Passenger Transport |date = 17 September 2014}}</ref>
* Stewarts Coaches (private coach hire and tours), previously part of National Express Transport Solutions, sold to the Coach Travel Group in December 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Coach Travel Group signs a deal to acquire Stewarts Coaches {{!}} Coach Travel Group |url=https://coachtravelgroup.com/news-and-media/coach-travel-group-signs-deal-acquire-stewarts-coaches |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=coachtravelgroup.com}}</ref>

====Railway and tram====
=====Railway=====
[[File:Upminster station MMB 15 357046.jpg|thumb|[[c2c]] [[British Rail Class 357|Class 357]] at [[Upminster railway station|Upminster]] in September 2010]]
[[File:Central Trains 153375 at Lincoln Central 01.jpg|thumb|[[Central Trains]] [[British Rail Class 153|Class 153]] at [[Lincoln railway station|Lincoln]] in May 2004]]
Rail franchises formerly operated:
* [[Wales & Borders]] passed to [[Arriva Trains Wales]] in December 2003
* [[ScotRail (National Express)|ScotRail]] passed to [[First ScotRail]] in October 2004
* [[Wessex Trains]], absorbed into [[Greater Western franchise]] and passed to [[First Great Western]] in April 2006
* [[West Anglia Great Northern]] split into two parts: West Anglia services transferred to [[National Express East Anglia]] April 2004, Great Northern services passed to [[First Capital Connect]] in April 2006
* In November 2007 several franchises were lost in a general restructure:
**[[Central Trains]] split between [[CrossCountry]], [[East Midlands Trains]] and [[London Midland]]
**[[Midland Mainline (train operating company)|Midland Mainline]] absorbed into [[East Midlands Trains]] franchise
**[[Silverlink]] split between London Midland and [[London Overground Rail Operations|London Overground]]
* [[Gatwick Express]] incorporated into [[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]] franchise in June 2008
* [[National Express East Coast]] passed to [[Directly Operated Railways]] in November 2009
* [[National Express East Anglia]] (including [[Stansted Express]] service) passed to [[Greater Anglia]] in February 2012
* [[c2c]] operated from May 1996 until sold to [[Trenitalia]] in February 2017<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/newsmedia/corporate-news/2017/acquisition-of-c2c-franchise-by-trenitalia/ |title = Acquisition of c2c franchise by Trenitalia |publisher = National Express |date = 11 January 2017}}</ref>

=====Tram=====
* [[National Express Midland Metro]] (now [[West Midlands Metro]] tram line), passed to [[Transport for West Midlands]] in 2018.

=====London & Continental Railways=====
National Express had a 17.5% shareholding in [[London & Continental Railways]] (L&CR) from its formation in September 1994 until it was nationalised by the [[Government of the United Kingdom]] in 2009. L&CR was responsible for building the [[High Speed 1]] project. National Express also held a 40% stake in the Inter-Capital and Regional Rail consortium which held the management contract for the UK arm of the [[Eurostar]] operation, L&CR's subsidiary [[Eurostar International]] from 1998 to 2010.<ref>{{cite news |title=Eurostar restructure sees UK expand rail stake |publisher=AllRailJobs.co.uk |url=http://www.allrailjobs.co.uk/article/eurostar-restructure-sees-uk-expand-rail-stake-5377.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=22 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061754/http://www.allrailjobs.co.uk/article/eurostar-restructure-sees-uk-expand-rail-stake-5377.htm |archive-date=23 October 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Annual Report and Accounts 2010 |publisher=National Express Group plc |url=http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/ar2010/business-review/performance-and-financial-review.html |url-status=dead |access-date=22 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061517/http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/ar2010/business-review/performance-and-financial-review.html |archive-date=23 October 2013 }}</ref>

===Airports===
In the 1990s, National Express moved into the privatisation of airports, purchasing [[East Midlands Airport|East Midlands]], [[Bournemouth Airport|Bournemouth]], and [[Humberside Airport]]s. In a move to concentrate on bus and rail provision, Humberside was sold to [[Manchester Airports Group]] in 1999 followed by Bournemouth and East Midlands in February 2001.<ref>[http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/314061A7BF7257488025738D004BB429/$File/Annual+Report+and+Accounts+0001.pdf Manchester Airports Group Annual Report 31 March 2001]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Manchester Airport Group</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1179057.stm |title = Manchester Airport spreads its wings |work= BBC News |date = 19 February 2001}}</ref>

Until November 2007, the group also operated [[Stewart International Airport]] in [[New Windsor, New York]]. However, the lease was sold to the public [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/25/nyregion/25airport.html?_r=1&oref=slogin |title = 4th Major Hub for Air Traffic moves ahead |work = [[New York Times]] |date = 25 January 2007}}</ref>

===Australian operations===
====Bus and coach====
[[File:HillsBus.JPG|thumb|[[Westbus]] [[Custom Coaches]] bodied [[Mercedes-Benz O405]] in [[Sydney]]]]
Australian bus companies previously operated:
* [[Westbus]] and [[Hillsbus]] in [[Sydney]], sold to [[ComfortDelGro Australia|ComfortDelGro Cabcharge]] in 2005, Westbus ceased operating in 2013, Hillsbus rebranded [[CDC NSW]] in 2023.
* Blue Ribbon in the [[Hunter Valley]], sold to ComfortDelgro Cabcharge and rebranded [[Hunter Valley Buses]] in 2005.
* [[National Bus Company (Australia)|National Bus Company]], [[Melbourne]], sold to [[Ventura Bus Lines]] in 2004, ceased operating in 2013.
* National Bus Company, [[Brisbane]], sold to [[Veolia Transport|Connex]] in 2004, now operating as [[Transdev Queensland]].
* [[Transdev WA|Southern Coast Transit]], [[Perth]], sold to Connex in 2004, now operating as [[Transdev WA]].

====Railway and tram====
[[File:M-Tram.jpg|thumb|[[M-Tram|M>Tram]] [[B-class Melbourne tram|B-class tram]] in [[Melbourne]] in August 2001]]
In 1999, the Group gained the Australian franchises [[M-Train|M>Train]], [[M-Tram|M>Tram]] and [[V/Line|V/Line Passenger]], following the privatisation of rail and tram services by the [[Government of Victoria]]. After incurring large losses and being unable to renegotiate the franchise contracts, the operations were handed back to the State Government. M>Train was re-let to [[Veolia Transport|Connex]] and M>Tram to [[Transdev (historic)|Transdev]]. V/Line became a government-owned corporation.<ref>[http://www.vline.com.au/pdf/publications/annualreports/AnnualReport12-13.pdf Annual Report 30 June 2013] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420132627/http://www.vline.com.au/pdf/publications/annualreports/AnnualReport12-13.pdf |date=20 April 2014 }} V/Line</ref>

===USA and Canada===
====Bus and coach====
* ATC (transit and paratransit operations in the United States and Canada, sold to [[Veolia Environnement]] in 2005 and since renamed [[Veolia Transport]]).<ref>[http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/lib/docs/094157-ar2005a.pdf Annual Report 31 December 2005] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014140105/http://nationalexpressgroup.com/lib/docs/094157-ar2005a.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014140105/http://nationalexpressgroup.com/lib/docs/094157-ar2005a.pdf |archive-date=14 October 2011 |url-status=live |date=14 October 2011 }} National Express</ref>
* [[Yuma County Area Transit]]
* [[Arlington Transit]] (transit and paratransit operations in the United States from 2009 to 2019, transferred to [[First Transit]] in 2019)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.insidenova.com/news/transportation/arlington-leaders-hopeful-changes-in-bus-service-will-pay-off/article_c0d3a9d6-2264-11ea-b214-1b4349a8a4ae.html |title=Arlington leaders hopeful changes in bus service will pay off |date=19 December 2019 |access-date=27 January 2020}}</ref>
* [[SolTrans]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|National Express Group}}
* [https://www.mobicogroup.com/ Company website]

{{Bus companies in England}}
{{Major UK Transport Companies}}
{{Mobico Group}}
{{FTSE 250 Index constituents}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bus groups in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Companies based in Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Mobico Group]]
[[Category:Transport companies established in 1972]]
[[Category:Transport operators of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1972 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Companies in the FTSE 250 Index]]