National Express profits up 8.3%

THE National Express Group has revealed a profit before tax of £129 million for last year, up 8.3% on the year before.

Operating profit for the group, which operates GoByCoach.com, ScotRail, Central Trains and has operations in Australia and the US, was up 10.7% to £156.7 million while the group’s debt fell from £556.6 million in 2000 to £315 million.

Chief executive Phil White said trading was in line with expectations and that it plans to expand its bus businesses through acquisitions and organic growth.