Singapore’s First Competition Appeal Board’s Decision Issued

By Ms Kala Anandarajah and Ms Dominique Lombardi

Introduction

By two decisions dated 28 February 2011 and published on 24 March 2011, the Competition Appeal Board of Singapore ('CAB') substantially reduced the fines imposed on 3 November 2009 on six express bus companies by the Competition Commission of Singapore ('CCS'). Rajah & Tann LLP Competition and Antitrust Practice acted for four of the appellants, namely Konsortium Express & Tours Pte Ltd, Five Stars Tours Pte Ltd, GR Travel Pte Ltd and Gunung Raya Travel Pte Ltd (together, the Appellants). This Update focuses on the decision issued with regards to these four companies.

The four companies had appealed the CCS' decision which found them liable of price-fixing together with 12 other express bus companies and their trade association, EBAA ('Express Bus Agencies Association'), between 2005 and 2007 / 2008. An aggregate fine of almost S$1.7 million was imposed on the 16 bus companies and the EBAA, which