ATLANTIC EXPRESS AWARDED CONTRACTS TO PROVIDE PARATRANSIT AND FEEDER BUS SERVICES FOR MTA IN NYC STATEN ISLAND, NY, November 6, 2001 -- Atlantic Express Transportation Group, Inc. today announced that its Paratransit and Commuter Service Divisions have been awarded competitively-bid contracts by two transit agencies affiliated with New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The new contracts, which become effective in January 2002, will enable Atlantic Express to continue providing transportation services under expiring contracts. The MTA approved a new five-year, $190.5 million contract for Atlantic Express to operate door-to-door Access-A-Ride ADA paratransit services, administered by NYC Transit for people with disabilities. This contract is one of the largest paratransit awards to a private service carrier in the United States. Atlantic Express has operated contract paratransit services in New York City since 1990. The MTA also approved a new five-year, $4.2 million contract for Atlantic Express to operate the Hudson RailLink Feeder Bus Service, which transports 1,200 passengers each day to and from the Metro-North Commuter Railroad stations in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. Atlantic Express has been offering this service under contract to Metro-North since 1991. The U.S. Association for Commuter Transportation has recognized this service as an outstanding example of a public/private partnership. Atlantic Express President and CEO Domenic Gatto said, "Both the paratransit and Rail Link contracts are a reaffirmation of the confidence the MTA has in our approach to providing dependable, sensitive, customer-friendly services to New York. We are more committed than ever to giving the people of New York City the opportunity to have safe, reliable and economical transportation services." Atlantic Express has become a leader in providing public transit services, having also received a competitively-bid contract award this year from the City of New York to operate two new express bus routes on Staten Island. This service, which currently boasts a daily ridership of more than 2,500 passengers, offers residents of the rapidly-growing and underserved Borough of Staten Island an opportunity to enjoy rapid, reliable rush-hour access to midtown Manhattan.