Atlantic Express Transportation 10Q 2008 Q1 Quarterly report

Atlantic Express Transportation Inactive 10-Q2008 Q1 Quarterly report

Content analysis

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q


	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007


	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 0-24247

Atlantic Express Transportation Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


New York			13-392-4567
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)			(IRS Employer Identification No.)

7 North Street Staten Island, New York 10302-1205

(Address of principal executive offices)

(718) 442-7000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes No

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, as of November 13, 2007 was 945,263

INDEX


		Page No.
PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements		3
	Consolidated Balance Sheets — September 30, 2007 (unaudited) and June 30, 2007		3
	Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) — Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006		4
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) — Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006		5
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)		6
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		9
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk		13
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		14
PART II: OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		15
Item 1A.	Risk Factors		15
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		15
Item 3.	Defaults upon Senior Securities		15
Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders		15
Item 5.	Other Information		15
Item 6.	Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K		16

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PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item I. Financial Statements

Atlantic Express Transportation Corp. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets


	September 30,				June 30,
	2007				2007
	(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	4,204,318			$	6,881,838
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,307,227 and $1,277,227, respectively			49,113,530				50,786,814
Inventories			2,885,751				2,808,661
Prepaid insurance			30,129,313				30,697,527
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			7,074,956				4,191,206
Total current assets			93,407,868				95,366,046
Property, plant and equipment, at cost, less accumulated depreciation			93,597,843				91,982,062
Other assets:
Restricted cash and cash equivalents			683,540				675,642
Transportation contract rights, net			2,519,834				2,648,294
Deferred financing costs, net			7,090,729				7,408,570
Deposits and other non-current assets			7,002,064				8,645,236
Total other assets			17,296,167				19,377,742
		$	204,301,878			$	206,725,850
Liabilities and Shareholder’s (Deficit)
Current:
Current portion of long-term debt		$	774,353			$	754,503
Current portion of capital lease obligations			1,658,337				1,615,448
Insurance financing payable			1,985,932				4,071,955
Controlled disbursements account – checks issued not funded			2,194,911				1,901,363
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities			14,215,237				13,974,241
Accrued compensation			5,338,398				2,962,784
Current portion of insurance reserves			634,049				833,862
Accrued interest			8,788,816				3,023,105
Payable to creditors under the plan of reorganization – current portion			1,299,200				1,299,200
Total current liabilities			36,889,233				30,436,461
Long-term debt, net of current portion			196,864,241				187,567,072
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion			1,773,866				1,725,526
Insurance reserves, net of current portion			2,937,162				189,339
Deferred income, net of current portion and other long-term liabilities			3,519,353				3,495,591
Deferred state and local income taxes			220,000				322,000
Payable to creditors under the plan of reorganization, net of current portion			77,395				77,395
Total liabilities			242,281,250				223,813,384
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholder’s (deficit):
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized shares 1,303,200; issued and outstanding 945,263			9,453				9,453
Additional paid-in capital			114,939,064				114,939,064
Accumulated deficit			(152,927,889	)			(132,036,051	)
Total shareholder’s (deficit)			(37,979,372	)			(17,087,534	)
		$	204,301,878			$	206,725,850

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Atlantic Express Transportation Corp. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2007				2006
Revenues:
School bus operations		$	54,870,933			$	57,804,362
Paratransit and transit operations			12,127,469				11,959,042
Total revenues			66,998,402				69,763,404
Costs and expenses:
Cost of operations – School bus operations			58,873,716				58,503,478
Cost of operations – Paratransit and transit operations			10,601,210				10,658,728
General and administrative			4,028,985				4,021,093
Depreciation and amortization			4,657,671				4,563,554
Total operating costs and expenses			78,161,582				77,746,853
Loss from operations			(11,163,180	)			(7,983,449	)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense:
Interest			(6,313,347	)			(5,254,542	)
Deferred financing costs			(389,414	)			(926,540	)
Change in fair market value of interest rate swap			(3,148,998	)			—
Reorganization costs			(45,891	)			1,422
Other income			93,992				51,458
Loss before benefit from income taxes and discontinued operations			(20,966,838	)			(14,111,651	)
Benefit from income taxes			75,000				—
Loss before discontinued operations			(20,891,838	)			(14,111,651	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			—				5,612,567
Net loss		$	(20,891,838	)		$	(8,499,084	)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Atlantic Express Transportation Corp. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2007				2006
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss		$	(20,891,838	)		$	(8,499,084	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Loss on sales of marketable securities and investments			—				45,367
Depreciation			4,529,211				4,435,094
Amortization			517,874				1,054,482
Original issue discount interest			141,102				243,537
PIK interest expense			—				69,531
Change in fair market value of interest rate swap			3,148,998				—
Reserve for doubtful accounts receivable			30,000				30,000
Gain on sale of business			—				(5,776,646	)
Deferred state and local income taxes			(102,000	)			—
Loss (gain) on sales of fixed assets, net			(39,886	)			209,168
Decrease (increase) in:
Accounts receivable			1,643,284				(4,870,697	)
Inventories			(77,090	)			44,767
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			(2,777,322	)			(28,075	)
Deposits and other non-current assets			1,643,172				(2,321,353	)
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, accrued compensation and other current liabilities			2,616,610				(2,385,509	)
Controlled disbursement account			293,548				2,911,427
Accrued interest			5,765,711				4,267,303
Insurance financing payable			(2,086,023	)			(1,902,833	)
Payable to creditors under plan of reorganization			—				(578,881	)
Insurance reserves and other long-term liabilities			(115,440	)			(66,611	)
Net cash used in operating activities			(5,760,089	)			(13,119,013	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment			(5,957,934	)			(1,394,751	)
Proceeds from sale of business			—				11,760,113
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets			59,450				356,122
Increase (decrease) in restricted cash and cash equivalents			(7,898	)			(857,965	)
Purchases of marketable securities			—				(547,507	)
Proceeds from sales or redemptions of marketable securities			—				2,144,833
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			(5,906,382	)			11,460,845
Proceeds from senior credit facility, net		$	9,084,395			$	2,233,619
Principal payments on borrowings and capital lease obligations			(23,871	)			(309,748	)
Deferred financing costs			(71,573	)			—
Net cash provided by financing activities			8,988,951				1,923,871
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(2,677,520	)			265,703
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year			6,881,838				501,271
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	4,204,318			$	766,974
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest		$	383,338			$	612,428
Income taxes		$	50,608			$	56,156
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activity:
Cash paid during the period for:
Loans incurred for purchases of property, plant and equipment		$	206,623			$	202,000

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Atlantic Express Transportation Corp. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Basis of Accounting

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in Atlantic Express Transportation Corp.’s (the ‘‘Company’s’’) financial statements as of and for the year ended June 30, 2007 as filed on the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments and accruals, (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which are necessary for a fair presentation of operating results are reflected in the accompanying financial statements. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full fiscal year.

2. Reclassification

The statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2006 has been reclassified to reflect amounts relating to the losses on the sale of long-lived assets of $209,168 as operating expenses and management fee expense of $100,000 as general and administrative expenses. These amounts were previously reflected in other income (expense). Certain amounts in the statement of cash flows for the three months ended September 30, 2006 have also been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

3. Interest Rate Swap

Effective as of May 15, 2007, we entered into an interest swap agreement (the ‘‘Swap’’) to reduce our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on our Senior Secured Notes due 2012 (the ‘‘Notes’’), which bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 7.25%. The Swap has a notional amount of $185 million with a fixed rate of 5.21% thereby effectively converting the floating rate notes to a fixed rate obligation of 12.46%. The Swap will expire in April 15, 2010. On the interest payment dates of the notes, the difference between LIBOR and 5.21% will be settled in cash. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, the Swap does not qualify for ‘‘Cash Flow Hedge Accounting’’ treatme nt since the documentation of the accounting treatment was not done contemporaneously with entering into the agreement. The reduction in the fair market value of this interest swap agreement as valued by Wachovia Bank, National Association of $3,148,998 is reflected as an addition to interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Our obligation under the Swap is secured by the collateral securing our amended and restated credit facility.

4. Debt

The following represents the debt outstanding at September 30, 2007 and June 30, 2007:


	September 30,				June 30,
	2007				2007
Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes, due 2012 with cash interest payable October 15^th and April 15^th (a)		$	185,000,000			$	185,000,000
Less: original issue discount associated with the issuance of the bonds, net (a)			(2,563,347	)			(2,704,449	)
Senior credit facility (b)			12,112,187				3,027,793
Various notes payable, primarily secured by transportation equipment, with interest rates ranging from 8% – 10.3%			3,089,754				2,998,231
			197,638,594				188,321,575
Less current portion			774,353				754,503
Long-term debt, net of current portion		$	196,864,241			$	187,567,072

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(a)	On May 15, 2007 the Company issued the Notes with an original issue discount of $ 2,775,000, which is being amortized over the term of the Notes. The net proceeds of the Notes were used to repay existing indebtedness and for certain other corporate purposes.

Annual interest on the Notes is equal to the applicable LIBOR rate plus a margin of 7.25%. The applicable LIBOR rate on September 30, 2007 was 5.36%. Interest payments that are required semiannually through their maturity date on April 15, 2012 commenced on October 15, 2007. Effective as of May 15, 2007, we entered into the Swap to reduce our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on the Notes. (see note 3)

In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company incurred $6.8 million of transaction costs which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the financing.

The indenture governing the Notes provides for optional redemption and contains covenants typical of such arrangements including incurrence of additional indebtedness.

The Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by each of the Company’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries that are not unrestricted domestic subsidiaries, other than certain immaterial subsidiaries. The Notes and the guarantees rank senior in right of payment to all of the Company’s subordinated indebtedness and equal in right of payment with all of the Company’s other senior indebtedness.

The Notes and the guarantees are secured by a first priority lien on all but one of the Company’s and the Company’s guarantor subsidiaries’ owned real properties and hereafter acquired real properties and on substantially all of the Company’s and the Company’s guarantor subsidiaries’ owned motor vehicles, other than those constituting excluded assets, and by a second priority lien on those of the Company’s assets and the assets of the Company’s guarantor subsidiaries which secure the Company’s and their obligations under the Company’s amended revolving credit facility (the ‘‘Amended and Restated Credit Facility’’) on a first priority basis.

On July 13, 2007 an exchange offer was completed and the Notes were registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘SEC’’).

(b)

Concurrently with the issuance of the Notes, the Company and substantially all of its subsidiaries also amended and restated its existing senior credit facility with Wachovia to provide up to $35.0 million of borrowing availability under a revolving credit facility, subject to customary borrowing conditions, plus a $10.0 million letter of credit facility. The Amended and Restated Credit Facility is secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ assets, other than collateral securing the Notes on a first priority basis, and by a second priority lien on the real property securing the Notes on a first priority basis. In addition, the term of the credit facility was extended from February 29, 2008 to December 31, 2011. The Amended and Restat ed Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants, including a minimum last twelve month (‘‘LTM’’) EBITDA covenant of $26.0 million, which will only be tested if excess availability falls below certain levels starting August 1, 2007. The Company’s LTM EBITDA was in excess of $26.0 million as of September 30, 2007. The Amended and Restated Credit Facility also contains customary events of default.

The borrowing capacity under the Amended and Restated Credit Facility is based upon 85% of the net amount of eligible accounts receivable. Loans under the facility bear interest at the prime rate which was 7.75% at September 30, 2007. Letters of credit are subject to a fee of 1% per annum payable monthly in arrears and any amounts paid by lenders for letters of credit will bear the same rate as loans under our revolving facility. The Company paid a closing fee of $400,000 which is being amortized over the term of the financing and is required to pay a servicing fee of $10,000 per month, plus pay Wachovia a monthly fee of 0.5% on any unused portion of its senior credit facility.

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5. Environmental Issues

By letter dated August 31, 2007, Fiore Bus Service, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, was notified by the US Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, of a potential liability in connection with the remediation of the Sutton Brook Disposal Area Superfund site in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. EPA has estimated that the cost to remediate this site is approximately $30 million and is seeking an agreement from the identified potentially responsible parties, or PRPs, including Fiore, to undertake the remediation of the site and has also demanded reimbursement of EPA’s expenses and oversight costs, which EPA has stated to be approximately $5.2 million for work performed to date. Under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, persons who are identified as PRPs such as Fiore may be subject to strict, joint and several liability for the entire cost of cleaning up environmental contamination at sites where hazardous su bstances have been released. The Company had acquired Fiore in 1998 and the allegations regarding Fiore relate to events which occurred during the 1980s. The Company has taken the position that any liability Fiore may have had regarding the remediation of the Sutton Brook site was discharged in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. While Fiore intends to pursue this defense vigorously and believes that its ultimate allocation of costs for this site, if any, should not be material, we can offer no assurance that the bankruptcy defense will be upheld in court or that Fiore’s share of any liability will not be material.

6. New Accounting Standards

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation 48, ‘‘Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109’’ (‘‘FIN 48’’). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 is effective for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 for positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within 12 months of the reporting date. The Company has assessed the impact of FIN 48 and it does not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements, but provides guidance on how to measure fair value by providing a fair value hierarchy used to classify the source of the information. This statement is effective for us for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008. We currently believe that adoption of SFAS No. 157 will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 gives us the irrevocable option to carry many financial assets and liabilities at fair values, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. This statement is effective for us for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008. We currently believe that adoption of SFAS No. 159 will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

Atlantic Express Transportation Corp. (‘‘we’’ or the ‘‘Company’’) is the third largest provider of school bus transportation in the United States and the leading provider in New York City, the largest market in which we operate. We have contracts with approximately 104 school districts in New York, Missouri, Massachusetts, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Illinois. For fiscal 2008, we have a contract to provide paratransit services in New York to physically and mentally challenged passengers who are unable to use standard public transportation. We also provide other transportation services, including fixed route transit, express commuter line and charter and tour buses through our coach services. As of September 30, 2007, we had a fleet of approximately 5,700 vehicles operating from approximately 50 facilities.

School bus transportation services accounted for 81.9% and 82.9% of our revenues from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Our school bus transportation contracts have provided a relatively predictable and stable stream of revenues over their terms, which generally initially range from one to five years. Since 1979, we have achieved substantial contract renewals, which we believe is due to (1) our reputation for passenger safety and providing efficient, on-time service, (2) our long-standing relationships with the school districts we service, (3) the preference of school districts to maintain continuity of service with their current proven contractor rather than risk the uncertainty associated with a replacement and (4) the disadvantage of prospective competitors, who generally would have to make substantially greater investments than we would in new equipment and who may experi ence difficulty obtaining suitable parking and maintenance facilities in our primary markets, especially in the New York City greater metropolitan area.

Paratransit and transit services accounted for 18.1% and 17.1% of our revenues from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The terms of our paratransit and transit contracts are initially for five years. These contracts are awarded by public transit systems through a public bidding or request for proposal (‘‘RFP’’) process. We are generally entitled to a specified charge per hour of vehicle service together with other fixed charges.

Results of Operations


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2007						2006
	(unaudited)
	(in millions, except percentages)
Revenues		$	67.0		100.0	%		$	69.8		100.0	%
Cost of operations			69.5		103.7	%			69.2		99.1	%
General and administrative			4.0		6.0	%			4.0		5.8	%
Depreciation and amortization			4.7		7.0	%			4.6		6.5	%
Loss from operations			(11.2	)	(16.7	)%			(8.0	)	(11.4	)%
Interest expense			9.9		14.7	%			6.2		8.9	%
Loss before discontinued operations			(20.9	)	(31.2	)%			(14.1	)	(20.2	)%

Results of Operations — Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2006

Revenues. Revenues from school bus operations were $54.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $57.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 5.1%. This decrease was due to a $3.3 million reduction of service requirements due primarily to (a) two less revenue days in New York City operations in September 2007 which decreased revenue by approximately $1.7 million; (b) a reduction in Department of Education (‘‘DOE’’) routes consisting of 28 routes in February of 2007 and an

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additional 24 routes for the current school year resulting in a $0.5 million decrease in revenue, although as of November 2007, the Company has received back 9 of these routes; (c) a reduction in summer revenues of $0.5 million; and (d) $0.3 million in lost contracts, partially offset by $0.7 million of price increases and $0.4 million in new contracts.

Revenues from paratransit and transit operations were $12.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $12.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, an increase of $0.2 million or 1.4%. This increase was due to $0.2 million of price increases and increases in service requirements from existing contracts.

Cost of Operations. Cost of operations of school bus operations was $58.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $58.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, an increase of $0.4 million or 0.6%. This increase was primarily due to an increase in vehicle lease expenses and an increase in wages and health and welfare costs under our New York City labor contract. Salaries and wages were $30.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $29.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, an increase of $0.2 million or 0.8% due to an increase in wages partially offset by fewer routes. As a percentage of revenues, salaries and wages increased to 54.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2007, from 51.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2006. These increases were partially offset by decreases in vehicle insurance expense, liquidated damages and the costs in moving buses between locations for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006. As a percentage of revenues, cost of operations increased to 107.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2007, from 101.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2006.

Cost of operations of paratransit and transit operations were $10.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $10.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, a decrease of $0.1 million or 0.5%. As a percentage of revenues, salaries and wages decreased to 49.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2007, from 50.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2006. As a percentage of revenues, cost of operations decreased to 87.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2007, from 89.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2006.

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses from school bus operations were $3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $3.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, a decrease of $0.1 million or 2.2%. As a percentage of school bus operations revenues, general and administrative expenses increased to 6.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2007, from 5.9% for the three months ended and September 30, 2006.

General and administrative expenses from paratransit and transit operations were $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, an increase of $0.1 million or 13.1%. As a percentage of paratransit and transit operations revenues, general and administrative expenses increased to 5.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2007, from 5.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2006.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense from school bus operations was $4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $4.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, an increase of $0.1 million, or 2.2%.

Depreciation and amortization expense from paratransit and transit operations was $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and for the three months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.

Operating income (loss) from operations. Operating loss from school bus operations was $11.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $8.3 million loss for the three months ended September 30, 2006, an increase in loss of $3.3 million, or 40.0%, due to the net effect of the items discussed above.

Operating income from paratransit and transit operations was $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, an increase of $0.1 million, or 44.6%, due to the net effect of the items discussed above.

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Interest expense. Interest expense was $9.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $6.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, an increase of $3.7 million, or 59.4%. The increase was primarily due to a $3.1 million non-cash change in fair market value of interest rate swap expense, $1.4 million increase in interest expense on the Notes, offset partially by a $0.3 million decrease in senior credit facility interest and a $0.5 million decrease in deferred financing expense.

Loss before benefit from income taxes and discontinued operations. Due to the net effect of the items discussed above we experienced a loss before a benefit from income taxes and discontinued operations of $21.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007, compared to a loss of $14.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, an increase in loss of $6.9 million.

Gain (loss) from discontinued operations. We experienced a gain from discontinued operations of $5.6 million, net of the sale of fixed assets, for the three months ended September 30, 2006.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The statements regarding the Company’s anticipated capital expenditures and service requirements are ‘‘forward looking’’ statements which involve unknown risks and uncertainties, such as the Company’s ability to meet or exceed its growth plans and/or available financing, which may cause actual capital expenditures to differ materially from currently anticipated amounts.

The Company anticipates capital expenditures for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 of approximately $10 million (including approximately $5 million of non-vehicle capital expenditures), of which $6.2 million were made during the three months ended September 30, 2007. The Company plans to meet the majority of its vehicle requirements by leasing as it did for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007. Vehicle lease expense increased $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007, from the three months ended September 30, 2006. The Company anticipates its vehicle lease expense will increase by approximately $0.8 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008.

On May 15, 2007 the Company issued $185.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2012 (the ‘‘Notes’’). The Notes were issued with an original issue discount of $2.8 million, which is being amortized over the term of the Notes. The net proceeds of the Notes were used to repay $116.3 million of our previously outstanding 12% Senior Secured Notes due 2008 and Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2008 (collectively the ‘‘Old Notes’’), $15.5 million for the third-priority senior secured notes, $4.9 million of the senior unsecured note, repayment of $3.5 million for the letter of credit advance, $1.6 million of PIK interest converted into debt, $12.1 million for the buyout of vehicle operating leases and $4.8 million for outstanding administrative priority claims and the rest was used for other corporate purposes.

Effective as of May 15, 2007, we entered into an interest swap agreement (the ‘‘Swap’’) to reduce our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on the Notes, which bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 7.25%. The Swap has a notional amount of $185 million with a fixed rate of 5.21% thereby effectively converting the floating rate Notes to a fixed rate obligation of 12.46%. The Swap will expire in April 15, 2010. On the interest payment dates of the Notes, the difference between LIBOR and 5.21% will be settled in cash. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, the Swap does not qualify for ‘‘Cash Flow Hedge Accounting’’ treatment since the documentation of the accounting treatment was not d one contemporaneously with entering into the agreement. The reduction in the fair market value of this interest swap agreement as valued by Wachovia Bank, National Association of $3,148,998 is reflected as an increase in interest expense. Our obligation under the Swap is secured by the collateral securing our Amended and Restated Credit Facility.

Concurrently with the issuance of the Notes, the Company and substantially all of its subsidiaries also amended and restated its existing senior credit facility with Wachovia Bank, National Association, as agent, to provide up to $35.0 million of borrowing availability under a revolving credit facility, subject to customary borrowing conditions, plus a $10.0 million letters of credit facility. The Amended

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and Restated Credit Facility is secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ assets, other than collateral securing the Notes on a first priority basis. In addition, the term of the credit facility was extended from February 29, 2008 to December 31, 2011. The Amended and Restated Credit Facility starting August 1, 2007 contains certain financial covenants, including a minimum last 12 month EBITDA covenant of $26.0 million, which will only be tested if excess availability falls below certain levels. The Amended and Restated Credit Facility also contains customary events of default.

The borrowing capacity under the Amended and Restated Credit Facility is based upon 85% of the net amount of eligible accounts receivable. Loans under the facility bear interest at the prime rate (the prime rate at September 30, 2007 was 7.75%). Letters of credit are subject to a fee of 1% per annum payable monthly in arrears and any amounts paid by lenders for letters of credit will bear the same rate as loans under our revolving facility. The Company paid a closing fee of $400,000 and is required to pay a servicing fee of $10,000 per month, plus pay lenders a monthly fee of 0.5% on any unused portion of its senior credit facility.

Under the terms of its contract with the DOE (its largest customer) the Company received a CPI increase of 2½% for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. However, a change in the configuration of routes for the current year effectively reduces this increase to less than 1%. In addition, the contracted labor and benefit percentage increases for the current fiscal year exceeds this revenue increase and will have a negative impact on margins. In addition, the Company operated a fleet of approximately 5,700 vehicles as of September 30, 2007 and uses substantial quantities of fuel in its operations. Based on the Company’s current operations, an increase in fuel costs of 10 cents per gallon will increase its cost of fuel purchased by approximately $1.0 million on an annual basis and significant increases in the cost of fuel will have a negative effect on operations.

The Company, in addition to normal working capital requirements, has significant interest obligations and capital expenditure requirements to finance its operations. The Company believes that the net proceeds from the Notes, together with its existing cash and cash flow from operations and borrowings under the Amended and Restated Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund the Company’s anticipated liquidity requirements for the current fiscal year.

As of September 30, 2007, total current assets were $93.5 million and total current liabilities were $36.9 million. At September 30, 2007, the Company’s debt under its $35.0 million senior credit facility was $12.1 million, and it had $13.1 million of borrowing availability, based on the Company’s borrowing base calculations. Approximately $9.3 million of the Company’s $10.0 million letter of credit facility was used. On October 31, 2007, under our senior credit facility the Company had a loan balance of $16.6 million, and it had $14.4 million in borrowing availability, based upon the Company’s borrowing base calculations.

Net cash used in operating activities. Net cash used in operating activities was $5.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007, resulting primarily from $19.5 million used in operating activities partially offset by cash provided by changes in the components of working capital of $5.4 million, and by non cash items of $8.3 ($5.0 million of depreciation and amortization, $3.1 million of interest swap expense and $0.1 million of amortization of original issue discount.)

Net cash used in operating activities was $13.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, resulting primarily from $16.8 million used in operating activities and cash used due to changes in the components of working capital of $2.0 million, partially offset by non cash items of $5.7 ($5.5 million of depreciation and amortization and $0.2 million of amortization of original issue discount.)

Net cash used by investing activities. For the three months ended September 30, 2007, the net cash used by investing activities was $5.9 million resulting primarily from $6.2 million of capital expenditures of which $0.2 million were financed by purchase money mortgages and $6.0 million were financed from operating cash flows.

For the three months ended September 30, 2006, the net cash provided by investing activities was $11.5 million resulting primarily from $11.8 million of proceeds from the sale of a business,

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$0.4 million of proceeds from the sale of fixed assets and $2.1 million of proceeds from sales or redemptions of marketable securities, partially offset by the $1.4 million of capital expenditures, which were financed from operating cash flows, $0.9 million decrease in restricted cash and $0.5 million in purchases of marketable securities.

Net cash provided by financing activities. Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $9.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 due primarily to $9.1 million of net borrowings under the senior credit facility.

Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 due primarily to $2.2 million net borrowings under the senior credit facility offset by $0.3 million in payments on borrowings under capital leases and purchase money mortgages.

Commitments and Contingencies

Reference is made to Note 16 ‘‘Commitments and Contingencies’’ of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007 for a description of the Company’s material commitments.

Critical Accounting Policies

In presenting our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, we are required to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported therein. Some of the estimates and assumptions we are required to make relate to matters that are inherently uncertain as they pertain to future events. We base these estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable and appropriate. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates. A discussion of our critical accounting policies and the related judgments and estimates affecting the preparation of our consolidated financial statements is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies as of September 30 , 2007.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as ‘‘may,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘expects,’’ ‘‘intends,’’ ‘‘plans,’’ ‘‘anticipates,’’ ‘‘believes,’’ ‘‘estimates,’’ ‘‘predicts,’’ ‘‘potential,’’ ‘‘continue’’ or the negati ve of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this report and, except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we assume no obligation to update or revise them or to provide reasons why actual results may differ.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

In the normal course of operations, we are exposed to market risks arising from adverse changes in interest rates. Market risk is defined for these purposes as the potential change in the fair value of financial assets or liabilities resulting from an adverse movement in interest rates.

We operated a fleet of approximately 5,700 vehicles as of September 30, 2007 and consume substantial quantities of fuel for our operations. Based on our current operations, an increase in fuel costs of ten cents per gallon will increase our cost of fuel purchased by approximately $1.0 million on

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an annual basis. From time to time in the past, we have entered into hedging contracts to protect ourselves from fluctuations in the cost of fuel, and we may seek to do the same in the future. We currently do not have any fuel hedging agreements in place, but we continually evaluate entering into such agreements if we believe increases in fuel costs are likely. No assurance can be given that we will be able to adequately protect ourselves from fluctuating fuel costs even if we enter into hedging contracts.

As of September 30, 2007, our only variable rate borrowings are the notes (LIBOR plus 7.25% interest) and the Amended and Restated Credit Facility (prime rate). On May 15, 2007 we reduced our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on our notes by entering into the Swap. The Swap has a notional amount of $185 million with a fixed rate of 5.21% thereby effectively converting the floating rate notes to a fixed rate obligation of 12.46%. The Swap will expire on April 15, 2010. On the interest payment dates of the notes, the difference between LIBOR and 5.21% will be settled in cash. As of September 30, 2007 the fair market value of the Swap as valued by Wachovia Bank, National Association was a $2,687,212 liability. Our obligation under the Swap are secured by the collateral securing our amended and restated credit facility. As of September 30, 2007, based upon our variable interest rate borrowings, a 100 b asis point increase in interest rates, applied to our maximum variable rate borrowings, would have no material effect on interest expense or corresponding cash flows until periods commencing April 16, 2010.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the ‘‘Exchange Act’’)), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q, the Company again carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were still ineffective as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q. The Company continues to review its disclosure controls and procedures in order to improve their effectiveness. Although the process is ongoing, the Company has identified a need to modify its financial period closing from a sequential to a more simultaneous process, to reduce the time necessary to properly complete its financial statement preparation and review. As the review process continues, the Company may identify other areas for improvement. The Company has implemented improvements, but cannot yet determine when all improvements will be completed or have the intended effect.

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting, identified in connection with the evaluation of such internal control that occurred during our last fiscal quarter, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

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PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

By letter dated August 31, 2007, Fiore Bus Service, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, was notified by the US Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, of a potential liability in connection with the remediation of the Sutton Brook Disposal Area Superfund site in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. EPA has estimated that the cost to remediate this site is approximately $30 million and is seeking an agreement from the identified potentially responsible parties, or PRPs, including Fiore, to undertake the remediation of the site and has also demanded reimbursement of EPA’s expenses and oversight costs, which EPA has stated to be approximately $5.2 million for work performed to date. Under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, persons who are identified as PRPs such as Fiore may be subject to strict, joint and several liability for the entire cost of cleaning up environmental contamination at sites where ha zardous substances have been released. The Company had acquired Fiore in 1998 and the allegations regarding Fiore relate to events which occurred during the 1980s. The Company has taken the position that any liability Fiore may have had regarding the remediation of the Sutton Brook site was discharged in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. While Fiore intends to pursue this defense vigorously and believes that its ultimate allocation of costs for this site, if any, should not be material, we can offer no assurance that the bankruptcy defense will be upheld in court or that Fiore’s share of any liability will not be material.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and trading price of the Notes. Please refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2007 for additional information concerning these risk factors and other uncertainties that could negatively impact the Company. There have been no material changes to those risk factors as previously disclosed.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

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Item 6. Exhibits

The following documents are filed as Exhibits to this report:

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Atlantic Express Transportation Corp. has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Positive
Negative
Uncertain
Constraining
Legalese
Litigous
Readability	H.S. junior Avg

Exhibit No.

Description

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer

Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer

Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer