Due to a pending court decision sought by SAD, all services will be temporarily on halt from Wednesday 19 May 2021. Replacement bus services will be available.
Since 1991, SAD Trasporto locale/SAD Nahverkehr AG had been in charge of operating the cable-car and light railway services at Renon/Ritten as well as the Mendola/Mendel funicular. Now, on 18 May 2021, the concessions granted to SAD by the South Tyrolean authorities have officially expired with no scope for renewal. In a recent resolution, the provincial government decided to entrust the management of the facilities to the government-owned company STA – Südtiroler Transportstrukturen AG/Strutture Trasporto Alto Adige SpA.
“At the time, the concession was awarded to SAD – a private enterprise – without a formal tender, after which it was renewed several times. In compliance with European and national legislation, it is our duty as a public administration body to either transfer any such service to a state-owned structure or put it out to tender. Following thorough technical and legal reviews, the provincial government has decided in favour of in-house contracting,” South Tyrol Minister for Mobility Daniel Alfreider explained. This was to ensure, he added, that these basic public transport services can continue to be guaranteed at both locations.
In a bid to continue offering the service and keep receiving payments in spite of the expired concession, SAD has now filed for the suspension of a court ruling in favour of the transfer. To this end, it would furthermore refuse to return the operating assets paid for by the provincial government and decline an orderly transfer of operations to STA, the company announced.
State Council decision to be announced shortly
“We have now managed to stop the planned sale of the Trogenerbahn tramcars, which at the time were bought with public money, by court order. Within the next few days, the State Council in Rome will decide on umpteenth application by SAD to have the takeover suspended. We have full confidence in the judiciary system. The provincial government will do everything in its power to ensure the service is continued in an orderly manner for all South Tyroleans and guests, and to bridge this situation in the best possible way,” Alfreider added.
From Wednesday 19 May 2021, substitute buses will replace the suspended services until further notice, and in any case until the State Council decides on the urgent motion filed by SAD, which is expected to be the case on Friday.