Press Release: State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation on €60 million public service compensation planned for Simet SpA

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to examine whether a compensation decided by the Italian Consiglio di Stato in favour of Simet SpA for bus services provided between 1987 and 2003 is compatible with EU state aid rules.

On the basis of available information, the Commission has doubts that a public service compensation is necessary to retroactively finance services that were provided years ago and for which it is not clear that there was a genuine public service obligation. The opening of an in-depth investigation gives interested parties the possibility to comment on the proposed measure. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.