NMa: Confirms ProRail's obligation to negotiate on user fees

ProRail, the Dutch rail infrastructure manager, must enter into negotiations on railway access tariffs with freight transport provider Railion. This decision means that ProRail may not refuse negotiations on user fees that have been employed up until now. In taking this decision, the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) expects to advance competition in the railway sector.

Railion, the largest Dutch freight transport provider at present, submitted a complaint with the NMa, because the rail infrastructure manager ProRail refused to negotiate on tariffs set for the use of railway infrastructure. In reaching its decision, the NMa has taken into account the Railway Act and finalises the preliminary judgment issued towards the end of last year.

Last year, the Railion case was dealt with by the Office of Transport Regulation, which is part of the NMa and monitors the transport sector. Monitoring market operations in the transport sector is one of the NMa's priorities for this year. In future, therefore, the NMa will continue to monitor this sector closely.