13 September 2010: Urban and intercity passenger transport services
The Autorité de la concurrence opens in-depth examination into
Veolia Transport and Transdev proposed concentration
Last August, the Commission authorized part of the merger between Veolia and Transdev, but referred to the Autorité de la concurrence, at its request, for an examination of the operation’s impact on the French market1 .
The proposed merger involves the creation of a joint venture between Veolia Environnement and the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, that will take in the activities of Veolia Transport and Transdev. Up to now, Veolia Transport is controlled by Veolia Environnement and Transdev by the Caisse des Dépôts de Consignations.
The Autorité de la concurrence considers that questions have arisen regarding the operation, thereby requiring the opening of an in-depth examination (phase 2).
On the basis of a broader consultation with the market’s operators, the Autorité will notably strive to determine if the operation is likely to have adverse effects on competition in the urban and intercity passenger transport sector.
In principle, the texts call for this examination to be carried out within 65 business days of the launch of phase 2, with it being possible to lengthen this timeframe if necessary, for example in order to complete the finalizing of commitments or in order to consider the occurrence of a new fact.
1 See the press releases from the European commission of 12 August 2010 and the Autorité de la concurrence of 16 August 2010.