Have the article read by OpenAI (Beta). Please note that AI translations may take some time to process.Brussels (dpa) – The European Commission fined the Czech and Austrian national rail operators a total of 48.7 million Euro on Wednesday for violating European Union competition rules.
Czech operator České Dráhy (ČD) faces a fine of almost 32 million Euro and Austrian provider Österreichische Bundesbahnen
(ÖBB) of 16.7 million Euro.
“ČD and ÖBB colluded to prevent a new entrant, RegioJet, from accessing used wagons, thus restricting competition on the rail passenger transport market,” the commission said.
Competitor excluded from buying used wagons
RegioJet relied on the used ÖBB wagons to enter the Czech market as they were already approved for operations in the country.
Between 2012 and 2016, “ČD and ÖBB coordinated their actions in sales processes related to used ÖBB wagons for long-distance passenger transport, to prevent RegioJet from buying them,” the commission concluded.
Through their actions the two operators “colluded to maintain their market position and impede the expansion of RegioJet both in Czechia and on the international rail route between Prague and Vienna,” the commission said.
The fined companies can appeal against the commission’s decision. (23 October)
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