STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 1999--The Board of Education of the Long Beach Unified School District has approved an award of a five-year $21 million school bus contract to Atlantic Express of California, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlantic Express Transportation Group, Inc.

The contract, which commences September 1999, runs through June 2004 with options to extend. Atlantic has ordered a new fleet of Blue Bird school buses to perform the contract.

Domenic Gatto, CEO and President of the Company said, "This award is a great addition to our operations in California. It opens new opportunities for our continued expansion in the West Coast. We hope to convince other school districts in the area to try our brand of service. From the top of our organization to all of our driver and maintenance personnel, we regard our customers as No. 1."

Atlantic Express has more than doubled its size in Southern California since it entered the West Coast market when it was awarded several contracts by the Los Angeles Unified School District. In its first year of service to LAUSD, Atlantic Express provided a 99.35% on-time service performance and 100% California Highway Patrol vehicle inspection passing score. Based on the Company's reputation for providing consistent top notch uniformed service nationwide, private schools in the Los Angeles vicinity have contracted with Atlantic Express to serve their district children.

Atlantic, continuing its expansion in the Northeast has recently acquired Fiore Bus Service Inc., R. Fiore Bus Service Inc., Groom Transportation Inc., and McIntire Transportation, Inc. in Massachusetts, Mountain Transit, Inc. in Vermont and Winsale, Inc. in New Jersey.

With its new contracts and acquisitions, Atlantic expects sales of approximately $350 million in fiscal year 2000 with operations in 10 states and a fleet in excess of 5,000 buses.

Atlantic Express is the third largest provider of school bus transportation in the United States. It has contracts with various school districts in New York, Missouri, California, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Vermont. In addition to school bus transportation operations, the Company provides public transportation services for physically and mentally challenged passengers, transportation for pre-kindergarten children and Medicaid recipients, express commuter line, charter and tour bus services, and bus sales, leasing and services. Atlantic Express is an American-owned, American-based company.

For additional information, please contact: Domenic Gatto, CEO/President Tel. (718)-442-7000 ext.311