The Italian Competition Authority rules that 3 companies have abused their dominant position in the markets for rail infrastructure management and regional rail passenger transportation services (FS / RFI / Trenitalia)

On July 31, 2019, the ICA issued a decision stating that Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane S.p.A. (“FS”), Rete Ferroviaria Italiana S.p.A. (“RFI”) and Trenitalia S.p.A. (“Trenitalia”) had abused their dominant position in the markets for rail infrastructure management and regional rail passenger transportation services in Veneto (the “Decision”). [1] However, the ICA imposed on the firms concerned a symbolic fine of only €1,000, taking into account the fact that the contested practices would ultimately lead to improvements and innovation in the railway infrastructure. Factual background FS, a company fully owned by the Italian Ministry of Economics and Finance, is the holding company of the FS Group and controls both RFI, which operates the Italian rail network