The Italian Regional Administrative Court of Trentino-Alto Adige issues a decision on the application of State aid provisions to public service compensation (SAD Trasporto Locale / Autonomous Province of Bolzano)

On 26 November 2019, the Regional Administrative Court of Trentino-Alto Adige (“TAR Trentino-Alto Adige”) delivered Decision No. 285 in which it rejected the annulment action brought by SAD Trasporto Locale S.p.A. (“SAD”), a company operating within the public transport sector in the Trentino-Alto Adige region. Background & facts of the case SAD sought the annulment of a decree issued by the Provincial Councillor for Mobility of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano. The decree introduced several rules concerning the use of advertising space and the colouring and layout of vehicles used for public transport. SAD claimed its right not to abide by the decree and sought compensation for the performance of