▶ The European Commission fined the state-owned rail operators ČD and ÖBB a total of €48.7 million for breaching antitrust law.

▶ They were found guilty of colluding to block new entrant operator RegioJet from accessing second-hand rolling stock.

▶ This case highlights one of the many barriers independent operators face when entering the market or expanding their operations.

ALLRAIL welcomes the European Commission’s decision to impose fines on state-owned incumbent rail operators ČD and ÖBB for their coordinated efforts to block new entrant rail operator RegioJet from accessing second-hand rolling stock between 2012 and 2016.

ALLRAIL had raised the alarm on this issue more than four years ago, warning that both incumbents were collaborating to prevent RegioJet from purchasing second-hand ÖBB rolling stock. 

The Commission’s decision sends a clear signal that such anti-competitive behaviours in passenger rail transport will not be tolerated. We hope that this will pave the way towards a more and competitive market, which will attract more passengers and help Europe advance its climate goals.