NMa clears acquisition of GVU and Novio by Connexxion

The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has cleared transport company Connexxion's acquisition of GVU, a municipal transport company, and NOVIO, a bus transport company. GVU and NOVIO currently provide local bus transport services for the cities of Utrecht and Nijmegen respectively, also including surrounding areas.

At the moment, a sufficient number of players compete for concessions in the market for public bus transport. The NMa does not expect any of Connexxion's main competitors to exit the market as a result of its acquisition of GVU and NOVIO, which are relatively small bus transport companies. Also, this acquisition does not substantially impair the competitive strength of other principal transport companies. The NMa therefore has no reason to believe that the acquisition will create or strengthen a dominant position.


In instances where mergers and acquisitions exceed specified turnover thresholds, the NMa assesses whether the merger or acquisition creates or strengthens a dominant position. Such a dominant position may have detrimental effects on the price, quality and diversity of supplies. In that case the NMa may impose conditions on, or decide not to clear, a merger.