Spain: Siemens, Alstom, Bombardier, among the accused in railway cartel

Spain’s National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) has announced charges against four executives and eight companies (including Siemens – and its subsidiary, Siemens Rail – Thales España, Cobra, Nokia, Alstom, Bombardier and CAF) over alleged collusion in the provision of security and communication services in the railroad sector.

The CNMC detected anti-competitive practices in the installation, operation, maintenance and supply of traffic control and security systems, as well as in communications equipment and railway protection. The authority noted that information was collected in this regard during inspections carried out in January 2017.

The authority indicated that raids were also carried out in 2017 at the offices of Thales España and Bombardier, as well as to CAF Signaling. The inspections “were carried out in connection with various agreements for the handling and the distribution of tenders issued by the Railway Infrastructure Administrator (ADIF) for the supply, installation, repair, maintenance and improvement of the systems …” assured the CNMC. The authority also brought charges against four managers of these companies and their accomplices.

Full Content: El Economista