Pilgrims provide progress for National Express revenues

The company, which also operates bus and rail services, ran 1,000 coaches to Birmingham from across the UK for pilgrims to see Pope Benedict XVI last month.

The group said coach revenues in the three months to September 30 increased 4 per cent year-on-year, compared to a 2 per cent rise in the first half.

The transport group said a restructuring in its bus network, which operates mainly in the West Midlands, had added 5m to year-on-year operating profits. Quieter routes have been cut back, while busier runs have had services added.

Passengers paid more for a multi-trip travelcard in the third quarter, but the company held its single journey fare, which improved its passenger per mile revenue by 5 per cent.

Jez Maiden, group finance director at National Express, said the company would continue to focus on operational improvements to achieve growth.

But Mr Maiden said the company will be in a position to eye up potential areas of expansion in Europe and North America in about 12 months' time.

The firm said profitability at its British rail business continued to grow on the back of a 7 per cent rise in third-quarter underlying revenue.