Passenger rolling stock market study

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Market study with a view to deciding whether or not to make a market investigation reference to the Competition Commission re passenger rolling stock leasing market(s in 2006.

On 28 June 2006, we received a detailed submission (the Complaint) from the Department for Transport (DfT) requesting us to refer the passenger rolling stock leasing market(s) to the Competition Commission (CC) for investigation under section 131 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (EA02).

The Complaint set out a number of structural and behavioural features of passenger rolling stock leasing market(s), and asserted that these were capable of preventing, restricting or distorting competition in the passenger rolling stock market(s).

After conducting an initial review of the submission, we decided to undertake a focused market study with a view to deciding whether or not to make a market investigation reference to the CC. We set out the scope of this study and a provisional timetable in July 2006.

As part of this study we sought information from the ROSCOs and TOCs in order to inform our consideration.

On 29 November 2006 we issued a consultation on the draft findings of the market study and on a draft reference to the CC. We have also published the responses of industry parties to this consultation.

After giving consideration to all of the responses to our consultation, we decided to refer the leasing of rolling stock for franchised passenger services to the CC for further investigation, this was announced in a press notice on 26 April 2007.

Further information