National Express Group PLC announced that its National Express Rail GmbH business has won a contract worth €1 billion over the lifetime of the agreement to operate the RE1 and RE11 Rhein-Ruhr-Express (RRX) lines in Germany to 2033. The company took over the operation of the two lines in February 2022 through an emergency contract award, successfully mobilising in a short timeframe. Following this new contract award, National Express now operates all three asset light RRX lots under long term contracts.

Alongside its Rhine Munster Express operation, this allows to unlock operational synergies, and cements its position as the trusted operator in the region. The award of this contract establishes National Express as the second rail transport company in the region, delivering an anticipated 20 million train kilometres in 2023.