Czech competition watchdog blocks $455 mln highway toll contract

Kapsch TrafficCom AG

26/09/2019 14:35

PRAGUE, Sept 26 (Reuters) - The Czech competition watchdog
UOHS has blocked a $455 million highway toll contract between
the state and the Czech Toll/Sky Toll consortium, potentially
allowing current operator Austrian company Kapsch  KTCG.VI  to
continue running the concession.
    UOHS cited concerns about how an April 2018 tender process
for the contract was run but said on Thursday it was suspending
its ruling by 12 months to allow the consortium and the Czech
transport ministry to appeal.
    The new 10-year contract is due to start in 2020.
    Transport Minister Vladimir Kremlik said on his Twitter
account that the ministry would appeal the ruling and it would
not affect preparations for the launch of the new system.
    CzechToll is controlled by the richest Czech businessman
Petr Kellner, who joined forces with SkyToll, which operates the
highway toll system in neighbouring Slovakia.
    The consortium beat Kapsch in the tender and Kapsch has
challenged the decision.

($1 = 23.6180 Czech crowns)

 (Reporting by Robert Muller; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
 ((robert.muller@thomsonreuters.com; +420224190475; Reuters
Messaging: robert.muller.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))