PKP Intercity has been fined PLN 2.2 million (c €550,000) by Competition Authority (UOKiK) for practices infringing consumer interests.
UOKiK launched proceedings against PKP Intercity in January 2009 alleging that the terms of certain tickets breached transport law by:
- limiting travellers' rights to change their ticket class, departure deadline or place of destination before starting their journey
- preventing travellers from returning tickets and getting a refund
UOKiK claimed that the unlawful provisions appeared in the ticket regulations governing Weekend, Traveler and Earlier and cheaper special offers, as well as personal transport and network ticket sales.
According to PKP, the clauses challenged by UOKiK applied only to special offer ticket purchase regulations and that special offers should be governed by different regulations than those applicable to other tickets.
PKP Intercity removed some of the unlawful clauses during the proceedings but has already announced its intention to appeal against the decision to the Competition and Consumer Protection Court.
This article was written for Law-Now, CMS Cameron McKenna's free online information service. To register for Law-Now, please go to www.law-now.com/law-now/mondaq
Law-Now information is for general purposes and guidance only. The information and opinions expressed in all Law-Now articles are not necessarily comprehensive and do not purport to give professional or legal advice. All Law-Now information relates to circumstances prevailing at the date of its original publication and may not have been updated to reflect subsequent developments.
The original publication date for this article was 12/01/2010.
