The Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) is conducting an investigation into possible collusion among companies in the public road transport sector, focusing on the distribution of contracts for school transport services in the Castilla-La Mancha region.

Inspections were carried out from October 6 to 8 at the premises of several entities operating in this sector. These inspections are a preliminary step before potentially opening a sanctioning file, and they do not prejudge the outcome of the investigation or the culpability of the involved companies.

Agreements between competitors are considered a very serious infringement under the Competition Defense Law (LDC), which can result in fines of up to 10% of the total turnover of the companies involved. The investigation of cartels is a priority for the CNMC due to the severe consequences such practices can have on consumers and market functioning.

The CNMC has a leniency program that allows companies and associations involved in a cartel to benefit from exemption from fines if they provide evidence that helps detect the cartel. Additionally, companies that provide significant information after the investigation has started may receive a reduction in their fines.

Companies applying for leniency are exempt from the prohibition on contracting with the public sector, as established in the Public Sector Contracts Law (LCSP) for those sanctioned for serious infringements related to competition distortion.

The CNMC also has an online platform for citizen collaboration to detect cartels. The Anonymous Competition Informants System (SICA) allows individuals to report anticompetitive practices anonymously, such as agreements between companies to fix prices or share markets, clients, or tenders.