National Express acquires Spanish transport business in €13m deal

Transport firm National Express has announced the acquisition of a European business in a multi-million Euro deal.

The group has acquired Transportes Rober (Rober) in Spain for headline consideration of €13m.

The acquisition of Rober, which has operated the urban bus contract in Granada for more than 20 years, represents a further step in consolidating the regional and urban bus markets for National Express’ Spanish subsidiary ALSA.

Granada is a major hub for long haul connections and builds on ALSA’s existing urban business in Almeria and regional services, consolidating its leadership position in Andalusia with a combined fleet of 650 vehicles and 1,900 employees.

Ignacio Garat, CEO of National Express, commented: “I am delighted that in addition to maintaining tight control on costs, we are able to focus on growth and continue our successful ‘consolidate and compound’ strategy.

“The acquisition of Rober adds another revenue-protected contract to ALSA, consolidating its leadership position in another region, further diversifying its revenue streams and delivering operational synergies.”

Francisco Iglesias, CEO of ALSA, added: “The consolidation of regional and urban services in Andalusia will reinvigorate public transport across the region making it more attractive and easier to use.”