STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.--April 22, 1999--On April 15, the Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA) of Maricopa County, Ariz., awarded a paratransit contract to Atlantic Paratrans of Phoenix Inc., a subsidiary of Atlantic Express Transportation Group Inc. (Atlantic).

The contract amounts to approximately $21.5 million over five years.

Based in the city of Phoenix, RPTA has contracted Atlantic to manage and operate RPTA's Dial-a-Ride services in two regions -- the Tempe and Scottsdale region (where services will commence in July 1999), and the Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert region (where services will commence in October 1999). The combined door-to-door paratransit operation represents one of the largest paratransit contracts in the Western United States.

Domenic Gatto, chief executive officer and president of Atlantic stated, "We are excited about this tremendous opportunity to serve the transit passengers in the greater Phoenix area. Atlantic continues to expand its presence in the Western U.S., and the award of this RPTA contract represents the second major paratransit contract that the company has been awarded during the first quarter of 1999."

Recently, Atlantic was awarded a five year $60.6 million contract to provide paratransit service in the Six County Regional Transportation District in Denver. Service began in March 1999.

Atlantic Express is one of the largest providers of paratransit transportation service and the third largest provider of school bus transportation in the United States. The company also provides pre-kindergarten, Medicaid transportation, bus sales, leasing and service. Atlantic Express is an American-owned, American-based company operating more than 5,000 vehicles nationwide.

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