The European Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated an investigation into suspected fraud involving EU and national funds for public transport in Luxembourg. Searches were conducted at major bus companies and the premises of a former senior official. The investigation targets public transport operators who reportedly invoiced journeys as being conducted by electric buses while using diesel or hybrid vehicles, leading to potential fraud exceeding €23 million in total in various funding sources from 2022 to 2024. The Luxembourg Federation of Bus and Coach Operators denies any wrongdoing.
Several public transport operators are believed to have systematically invoiced services as having been carried out using electric buses, whereas in reality, a significant portion of these services was allegedly performed using diesel or hybrid vehicles. This practice enabled the operators to benefit from a higher remuneration rate reserved for zero-emission services. Consequently, the required corrective coefficients for not complying with the electrification obligations were not applied either and resulted in overbilling in the period between 2022 and 2024.
According to EPPO, several searches were carried out by the Luxembourgish Judicial Police at the premises of major bus companies, the national public transport administration, and the residence of a former senior official.
Collection
[
|
...
]