The European Commission opened a formal investigation this Friday to find out whether Renfe has “abused” its dominant position in rail passenger transport by refusing to provide its content and data in real time to rival train ticketing platforms. Brussels is “concerned” that the state rail operator is violating European competition rules with these practices. The Community Executive claims that Renfe’s alleged refusal to provide data such as ticket supply, discounts and real-time data to other online ticketing platforms “could prevent other platforms from competing” with the company. “If proven, the conduct under investigation may constitute an infringement of EU competition rules, which prohibit abuses of a dominant position (Article 102 TFEU),” the statement said. The Commission will now carry out its investigation “in-depth as a matter of priority”, although it indicates that the opening of this process does not prejudge its outcome. Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager has said that “competition in the online train ticketing market is crucial to ensure customers have access to affordable train services and to promote ecological modes of transport.” Therefore, it argues that an alleged refusal by Renfe to provide this information would “restrict and distort competition, ultimately to the detriment of consumers”. They seek an “agreed solution”. Van Renfe are calm with the investigation, as sources at the operator say it is not a unique investigation in Spain, but in Germany and other countries, national competition authorities are also studying these issues. “The global regulatory environment is changing with the liberalization of passenger transport,” they emphasize. In addition, they indicate from the operator that they have always cooperated with the government in all regulatory matters and that in this particular case they are working “intensively” with the European Commission’s Directorate General for Competition and hope for an “agreed solution”. .
Source: La Verdad
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