National Express encouraged by coach demand

British transport group National Express showed signs today of benefiting from a drive to encourage more travellers to consider coaches.

The group, which also has extensive bus and rail operations, said profits from its coach division increased 11.4% to £21.5m (€36.6m) last year, helped by a 2% rise in passenger numbers following promotions such as £9 (€13.10) “Go Anywhere” fares.

The profits improvement came despite the impact of the July terrorist attacks, which National Express said had curbed demand for travel into London. It serves more than 1,000 destinations and employs around 1,800 people.

Overall, profits for the group were 14.6% higher at £89.3m (€130.1m), following an improvement in profitability at its trains division, the operator of services such as c2c, Central Trains and Midland Mainline.

The bus division, which runs 2,250 vehicles in the West Midlands, Dundee and London, saw profits unchanged at £41.5m (€60.5m) after an improved operational performance during the year. It was helped by the recruitment of 400 Polish drivers within its Travel West Midlands business.