Proceedings initiated against Deutsche Bahn AG
Suspicion of restricting competition in ticket sales

The Bundeskartellamt has initiated proceedings against Deutsche Bahn AG on the suspicion that it has abused its dominant position in the sale of rail passenger tickets.

Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt: "Competitors are complaining that they have at the most only limited access to Deutsche Bahn's sales channels. We will follow up the question why Deutsche Bahn's competitors cannot sell their tickets at railway stations. We will also examine ticket sales which Deutsche Bahn undertakes on behalf of other companies. Functioning competition in the sale of tickets is essential for competition in the rail sector."

The Bundeskartellamt will examine to what extent different rates of commission charged for ticket sales on behalf of competitors are justified. It will also examine whether Deutsche Bahn is abusing its obligation by law to set joint tariffs to oblige its competitors to use its ticket sales services.
As a first step the authority will send out extensive requests for information to Deutsche Bahn, several of its competitors in the local and long-distance passenger rail sector, and the tariff association of federal and non-federal railways in Germany (Tarifverband Bundeseigener Eisenbahnen in Deutschland (TBNE)).