In June 2009 the Norwegian Competition Authority imposed an administrative fine of NOK 400 000 on Norges Turbileierforbund after the association had encouraged its members to increase prices for chartering buses. The association had also distributed a model for calculating charter prices on the basis of component prices, such as per kilometre and waiting time charges.

Norges Turbileierforbund did not accept the fine and brought the case to the Oslo District Court on the basis that the decision should be declared null and void.

Last week the Oslo District Court delivered its decision in the case. The State was acquitted and the administrative fine was maintained in its entirety.

The court concluded in its decision that the Turbileierforbund initiated the effort to suppress competition with the aim of getting its members to increase the price of bus charters. Oslo District Court described that as “a serious violation since it is a violation of a restriction related to a purpose of the Act and is cooperation on prices.”

«The industry associations have, in the same way as independent undertakings, a responsibility to understand the competition rules and to act within the law. The industry associations must be especially vigilant so as not to violate the Competition Act’s prohibition of illegal price cooperation», said the Director General for Competition Knut Eggum Johansen in a comment to the decision.