National Express sees a good first quarter, remains optimistic for the year

National Express sees a good first quarter, remains optimistic for the yearBritish bus and rail operator National Express Group Plc said today that it had posted a good start of the year 2010 as it has delivered a good result in the first quarter of the year. The company said that its cost saving programs and stronger operational focus resulted into improved margins in the first quarter.

National Express said in its interim management statement that the profit across all of its businesses was reported up in the first quarter of 2010.

The company said that the UK bus and rail revenues were reported almost flat in the first quarter of the year ended March. However, the company said that both the units reported an increase in number of passenger.

National Express said that the passenger revenue from its British coach business was reported up by 1% in the first quarter compared to the same period last year. The company also said that its North American school bus business was improving, while its Spanish bus division had delivered flat sales in the first quarter.

National Express also said in its interim management statement that the group is on track to meet expectations for margin and profit in the full year and continues to build its financial strength.