natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
In 2013, due to a further decrease in the number of airport passengers and the fact that the annual amount paid by Nettbuss Sør AS for the seats was found not to be commercially viable to maintain the airport shuttle bus service, it was agreed with Aust-Agder to reduce the Nettbuss Sør AS's obligation on two public service routes, namely routes 39 and 40, in order to finance the corresponding income reduction on the ATP project.
V skladu z nedavno sodno prakso Sodišča EFTA je Nadzorni organ menil, da plačil, ki niso izvedena na podlagi določb, veljavnih za shemo, ne more ščititi obstoječa narava sheme [36].
In economic terms, this reduction was estimated by the Norwegian authorities to represent direct-cost saving of NOK 1020000 for Nettbuss Sør AS.
Nadzorni organ je v odločbi o začetku postopka tudi poudaril, da se v skladu z navedeno sodbo vsaka pomoč, ki ni dodeljena na podlagi veljavne sheme pomoči, opredeli kot nova pomoč.
According to the information provided by the Norwegian authorities, the airport shuttle bus stopped purchasing seats on route 5 with effect as from 20 January 2014.
V zvezi z združljivostjo zadevnih ukrepov je Nadzorni organ poudaril, da morebitno čezmerno nadomestilo, dodeljeno zunaj okvira veljavne sheme pomoči, ne bi bilo združljivo s Sporazumom EGP.
The airport shuttle bus and route 5 are no longer marketed as one offering, and shuttle passengers taking line 5 have to buy their tickets separately.
Podobno v zvezi z morebitno novo pomočjo, dodeljeno po letu 2004 z uvedbo metode ALFA, Nadzorni organ ni mogel ugotoviti, ali je nadomestilo skladno s Sporazumom EGP, in sicer zaradi dvomov, izraženih v zvezi s parametri za izračun nadomestila, in ureditve za razporeditev stroškov za preprečitev čezmernega nadomestila.
Also, the airport shuttle bus is as from 2014 no longer run by Nettbus Sør AS, but by the company Nettbuss Ekspress AS.
V zvezi s projektom ATP Nadzorni organ zaradi pomanjkanja zadostnih informacij ni mogel oceniti združljivosti ukrepa s Sporazumom EGP.
GROUNDS FOR OPENING THE FORMAL INVESTIGATION
PRIPOMBE NORVEŠKIH ORGANOV
The Authority expressed doubts as regards whether the compensation awarded since 2004 for the local scheduled and school bus transport service obligations in Aust-Agder constitutes state aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement, and in particular as regards the application of the Altmark [35] conditions, especially conditions two to four.
Norveški organi so predložili pripombe na odločbo o začetku postopka in tudi pozneje, in sicer so sprva izrazili skupni pristop v zvezi z oceno državne pomoči za vse prevoznike, navedene v tej odločbi.
The Authority doubted whether the second criterion was met given the fact that negotiations took place to adjust the exact amount of compensation to be granted after the ALFA-method had been applied.
Vendar pa so pozneje v postopku norveški organi opredelili in Nadzornemu organu z dopisi z dne 8. julija, 15. oktobra in 19. decembra 2014 sporočili dodatne informacije v zvezi z obsegom prevozov podjetja Nettbuss Sør AS.
Further, the Authority doubted whether the third criterion has been fulfilled, given that the companies concerned have not consistently kept separate accounts since 2004, and none of the companies have kept proper allocation of common costs to show that the final compensation covered solely the cost of the public service.
Na podlagi novih informacij se zdi, da se je mnenje norveških organov glede nadomestila, dodeljenega podjetju Nettbuss Sør AS, in ocene združljivosti nadomestila bistveno spremenilo (glej razdelek 7.1.6).
Finally, the Authority could not conclude on the applicability of the fourth Altmark criterion and the benchmarking exercise, and expressed doubts as to whether the ALFA-method and the negotiations used to determine the final compensation ensured that the compensation was limited to covering the costs of an adequately equipped and well-run operator.
Nadomestilo za avtobusni prevoz v okrožju Aust-Agder
In relation to the ATP project, the Authority expressed doubts, due to the absence of adequate information, as to whether the amounts granted to Nettbuss Sør AS are connected to the award of compensation by Aust-Agder, or whether they constitute, or form part of, a separate scheme.
Nova ali obstoječa pomoč
In addition, the Authority could not conclude as to whether the modifications introduced in the existing aid scheme (that is put in place in Aust-Agder based on the CTA, the CTR, the Act on Education and the administrative practice) with the ALFA-method as from 1 January 2004 and its indexation as from 2009, substantially altered that scheme, turning it into new aid.
Norveški organi navajajo, da uvedba metode ALFA ni bistveno spremenila veljavnega sistema nadomestil v okrožju Aust-Agder.
Although the introduction of this new method does not appear to have changed the legal basis and the aim for awarding the compensation or the beneficiaries involved, the Authority expressed doubts as to whether the substance of the scheme remained unaffected, given that the basic features on how to calculate the compensation might have been significantly altered.
Cilj, podlaga in načela nadomestil za avtobusne prevoznike so po letu 2004 enaki kot pred letom 2004.
Having concluded that an existing aid scheme has been in place in Aust-Agder, at least until the end of 2003, the Authority doubted, however, given the lack of separate accounts and proper allocation of common costs between the public service and the commercial activities of the beneficiaries concerned, whether the compensation amounts have been granted on the basis of that scheme.
Norveški organi še poudarjajo, da je pomembno, da je zakonodaja (tj. ZKP, UKP in Zakon o izobraževanju) v celotnem zadevnem obdobju ostala nespremenjena, kar bi moralo tudi zadoščati.
Pursuant to recent jurisprudence of the EFTA Court, the Authority was of the view that payments not made on the basis of the provisions providing for the scheme cannot be protected by the existing nature of that scheme [36].
Norveški organi navajajo, da se upravna praksa v okrožju Aust-Agder z leti ni spremenila, v celotnem obdobju pa je nadomestilo vsebovalo iste elemente (tj. nadomestilo za avtobusne prevoze, plačilo za šolske prevoze in nadomestilo za stroške zunanjih izvajalcev).
The Authority also stressed in the opening decision that in line with the above cited judgment, any aid not granted on the basis of the existing aid scheme would have to be qualified as new aid.
Znesek nadomestila je vedno bila razlika med ocenjenimi stroški za izvajanje obveznosti javne storitve in ocenjenim prihodkom.
As regards the compatibility of the measures concerned, the Authority pointed out that any potential overcompensation granted outside the existing aid scheme would not be compatible with the EEA Agreement.
Določen je bil na podlagi določenih dejavnikov, ki se v zadevnem obdobju niso spremenili (tj. stroški avtobusnih prevozov, stroški zunanjih izvajalcev, prihodek iz naslova osnovnih šol, prihodek iz naslova srednjih šol, drugi prihodki, cene vozovnic in znižanja ter prevozi na progah).
Likewise, concerning the potential new aid granted after 2004 with the introduction of the ALFA-method, the Authority could not conclude as to whether the compensation granted complies with the EEA Agreement, given the doubts expressed concerning the parameters on the basis of which the compensation payment is to be calculated, as well as the arrangement for cost allocation to avoid overcompensation.
Končni znesek je bil dogovorjen s pogajanji in določen pred izvajanjem obveznosti javne storitve prevoza.
Finally, concerning the ATP project, in the absence of sufficient information, the Authority could not appraise the compatibility of that measure with the EEA Agreement.
Navedeni dejavniki za določitev nadomestila so bili upoštevani ne glede na vrsto dogovora, sklenjenega za določitev nadomestila.
COMMENTS BY THE NORWEGIAN AUTHORITIES
Zato je bila po navedbah norveških organov metoda ALFA uvedena le kot orodje za natančnejše umerjanje enega od dejavnikov (namreč stroška avtobusnih prevozov).
The Norwegian authorities submitted comments on the opening decision, as well as thereafter, initially taking a common approach as regards the State aid assessment for all the transport operators referred to in the present decision.
Metoda ALFA zato ni spremenila sistema nadomestil kot takega, prav tako pa ni uvedla ločenega novega ukrepa pomoči.
However, later in the process the Norwegian authorities identified and communicated to the Authority, by letters dated 8 July, 15 October and 19 December 2014, additional information regarding the production of Nettbuss Sør AS.
Zato norveški organi navajajo, da ostaja shema pomoči, vzpostavljena v okrožju Aust-Agder, veljavna, tako da mora Nadzorni organ zaključiti formalni postopek preiskave, saj bi bilo treba morebitno pomoč obravnavati v skladu s postopkom za obstoječo pomoč, določenim v členih 17 do 19 dela II Protokola 3 k Sporazumu o nadzornem organu in sodišču.
On the basis of this new information, it appears that the Norwegian authorities' opinion regarding the compensation granted to Nettbuss Sør AS and the compatibility assessment thereto, has materially changed (see Section 7.1.6 below).
Metoda ALFA in pogoji iz sodbe Altmark
Compensation for bus transport in Aust-Agder
Če bi se metoda ALFA obravnavala kot nov ukrep, norveški organi ponavljajo svoje mnenje, da veljavna ureditev nadomestil v okrožju Aust-Agder od leta 2004, razen pomoči za podjetje Nettbuss Sør AS, ne pomeni državne pomoči v smislu člena 61(1) Sporazuma EGP, ker izpolnjuje pogoje iz sodbe v zadevi Altmark.
New or existing aid
Norveški organi navajajo, da je uvedba metode ALFA od leta 2004 skladna s prvim pogojem iz sodbe v zadevi Altmark [37].
The Norwegian authorities argue that the introduction of the ALFA-method has not caused any substantial change in the existing compensation system in place in Aust-Agder.
Avtobusni prevozniki izvajajo lokalne redne in šolske prevoze v skladu s koncesijami, pogodbami ter veljavnimi zakoni in uredbami.
The aim, basis and principles for compensating the bus companies have been the same both before and after 2004.
V zvezi z drugim pogojem iz sodbe Altmark norveški organi navajajo, da se stroški, prihodki in nadomestilo od okrožja Aust-Agder določijo vnaprej na objektiven in pregleden način, z navedbo vseh različnih elementov enačbe, ki so pomembni za izračun.
It is also important and it should suffice, according to the Norwegian authorities, that the legislation (i.e. the CTA, the CTR and the Act on Education) has remained unaltered throughout the whole relevant period.
Izračun je temeljil na obsegu prevoznih storitev (tj. na številu kilometrov, ki so jih prevozila vozila v različnih skupinah vozil in skupinah rednih prevozov) vsakega od podjetij; nato na povprečnih stroških metode ALFA za različne postavke stroškov; ter tudi na nekaterih prilagoditvah na podlagi stroškov, ki so značilni za posamezno podjetje zaradi geografskih in topografskih pogojev, prometnih razmer in zakonodaje ter navedenih tarif.
The Norwegian authorities further submit that the administrative practice in Aust-Agder has not changed over the years and throughout the period the compensation has consisted of the same elements (i.e. compensation for bus operations, payment for school transportation and compensation for subcontractor costs).
V zvezi s tretjim pogojem iz sodbe Altmark norveški organi navajajo, da izračun nadomestila na podlagi metode ALFA in njene indeksacije ne presega zneska, potrebnega za kritje stroškov izvajanja obveznosti javne storitve, ob upoštevanju zadevnega prihodka in razumnega dobička.
The amount of compensation has always been the difference between the estimated costs for discharging the public service obligations minus the estimated income.
Norveški organi poudarjajo, da se nadomestilo v tem primeru izračuna za kritje razlike med ocenjenim prihodkom in ocenjenim stroškom podjetja, oba pa sta uporabljena na objektiven in pregleden način.
It was determined on the basis of certain factors that remained unchanged throughout the relevant period (i.e. costs of bus operations, costs of subcontractors, primary school income, high school income, other income, ticket rates and rebates and route production).
Dobiček iz poslovanja je prav tako precej majhen in omejen pri večini podjetij.
The final amount was concluded through negotiations and was set before the public service transport obligations were conducted.
Norveški organi navajajo, da po razpoložljivih podatkih običajen dobiček v sektorju javnega avtobusnega prevoza znaša okoli 3 do 5 %.
The factors, as mentioned above, to determine the compensation were taken into account regardless of the type of agreement applied to establish the compensation.
Norveški organi so predložili podatke za vsako podjetje, ki kažejo, da nadomestilo med letoma 2004 in 2011 ni preseglo ocenjenih stroškov in razumnega dobička.
Therefore, according to the Norwegian authorities, the ALFA-method was just introduced as a tool to calibrate one of the factors (namely the cost of bus operations) more precisely.
Ker ocene stroškov in s tem nadomestilo temeljijo na objektivnih metodah, norveški organi navajajo, da ni razloga za mnenje, da so avtobusni prevozniki po pogodbah prejeli čezmerno nadomestilo.
Therefore, it did not change the compensation system as such, nor did it introduce a severable new aid measure.
Poleg tega norveški organi navajajo, da dejstvo, da vsa podjetja v zadevnih obdobjih niso vodila ločenih računov, ne pomeni prisotnosti čezmernega nadomestila.
As a result, the Norwegian authorities state that the aid scheme put in place in Aust-Agder remains existing in nature, and the Authority should therefore close the formal investigation procedure, as any potential aid would have to be addressed under the procedure for existing aid laid down in Articles 17 to 19 of Part II of Protocol 3 SCA.
Navajajo še, da če metoda za izplačilo nadomestil izvajalcem javne storitve zagotavlja preprečitev čezmernega nadomestila, veljavna sodna praksa v zvezi s pogoji iz sodbe Altmark podjetjem prejemnikom ne nalaga dodatne obveznosti vodenja ločenih računov.
The ALFA-method and the Altmark conditions
Norveški organi še navajajo, da so imela pogajanja, s katerimi se je med letoma 2004 in 2008 določal končni znesek nadomestila, zelo majhen vpliv na znesek nadomestila, ki ga je okrožje Aust-Agder izplačalo avtobusnim prevoznikom.
To the extent that the ALFA-method is considered to be a new measure, the Norwegian authorities reiterate their view that the present compensation scheme in Aust-Agder as from 2004, with the exception of aid granted to Nettbuss Sør AS, does not entail State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement because it fulfils the conditions laid down in the Altmark judgment.
Po pogajanjih je bilo le nekaj manjših povečanj ravni nadomestila.
The Norwegian authorities submit that the introduction of the ALFA-method as from 2004, complies with the first Altmark condition [37].
Vendar pa norveški organi navajajo, da širši pogled na zadevo razkriva, da je bila raven nadomestila po pogajanjih enaka ali nižja ter da so pogajanja očitno delovala kot nekakšna varovalka v korist okrožja Aust-Agder.
The bus operators conduct local scheduled transport and school bus transport in accordance with concessions, contracts and the relevant acts and regulations.
V zvezi s četrtim pogojem iz sodbe Altmark norveški organi navajajo, da metoda ALFA in poznejši sistem indeksacije od leta 2009 temeljita na primerjavi.
As regards the second Altmark condition, the Norwegian authorities submit that the costs, revenues and the compensation from Aust-Agder are determined in advance in an objective and transparent manner indicating all the different elements of the formula that are relevant for the calculation.
Nadomestilo se izračuna na podlagi stroškov in prihodkov dobro vodenega podjetja in ne le na podlagi povprečja v zadevnem sektorju.
The calculation has been based on the production of transport services (i.e. the number of kilometres driven by vehicles carried out in the various vehicle groups and scheduled service groups) by each of the companies; then on the ALFA-method's average costs for the various cost items; and finally on some adjustments based on costs that are specific to the individual company due to geographical and topographical conditions, traffic conditions and legislation, as well as tariff-cited conditions.
Zato je zaradi metode ALFA mogoče predvidevati, da stroški ustrezajo nižjemu pragu.
With regard to the third Altmark condition, the Norwegian authorities argue that the calculation of the compensation according to the ALFA-method and its indexation does not exceed what is necessary to cover the costs of the discharge of the public service obligations, taking into account relevant income and a reasonable profit.
Na primer, normalizirana poraba goriva za določeno število prevozov ustreza ravni, kar pomeni, da 33 % merjenih vrednosti leži pod normo, 67 % pa nad normo.
They point out that the compensation in this case is calculated to cover the difference between estimated income and estimated costs of the company, being applied in an objective and transparent manner.
To pomeni, da sistem ne temelji na povprečnih stroških, temveč na stroških 33 % najbolje vodenih podjetij.
The operating profit is also relatively low and limited for most of the companies.
Nadomestilo zunaj sheme
According to the Norwegian authorities, based on available information, the normal profit in the public bus transport sector appears to be around 3-5 %.
Norveški organi so predložili podrobnejše pripombe o tem, kako se je zagotovilo, da, razen pomoči za podjetje Nettbuss Sør AS, za lokalni redni in šolski avtobusni prevoz v okrožju Aust-Agder ni bilo izplačano nadomestilo, ki bi presegalo znesek, dovoljen v okviru sheme.
The Norwegian authorities have submitted figures per company to show that the compensation granted from 2004 until 2011, has not exceeded the estimated costs plus a reasonable profit.
Navajajo, da uvedba metode ALFA ni povzročila bistvene spremembe sistema nadomestil.
As the cost estimates, and thereby the compensation, are based on objective methods, the Norwegian authorities argue that there is no reason to believe that the bus companies have been overcompensated under the contracts.
Posledično je sistem nadomestil (pred letom 2004 in po njem) vključeval iste elemente, zaradi česar je nadomestilo temeljilo na dejanskih podatkih podjetij o stroških.
Further, according to the Norwegian authorities, the fact that separate accounts have not been kept for all companies during the relevant periods does not mean that overcompensation is present.
Po mnenju norveških organov se je tako zagotovilo, da ni prišlo do čezmernega nadomestila ter da se je nadomestilo za javno storitev izračunalo le za stroške, povezane z obveznostjo javne storitve.
If, they state, the method for compensating the public service providers ensures that no overcompensation takes place, there is no added obligation under the present case law regarding the Altmark conditions that, in addition, separate accounts must be held by the recipient companies.
Norveški organi navajajo, da so razen podjetja Nettbuss Sør AS vsi drugi prevozniki v preglednicah za prejemanje nadomestila po metodi ALFA navajali samo prevoze in prihodek v okviru javne storitve.
It is also submitted that the negotiations, on the basis of which the final amount of compensation is set for each year from 2004 to 2008, had very limited impact on the amount of compensation paid by Aust-Agder to the bus companies.
Posledično ni razloga za mnenje, da so ti prevozniki nadomestilo prejeli za kaj drugega kot za javne prevozne storitve.
There have been a few slight increases in the level of compensation after negotiations.
Združljivost
However, the Norwegian authorities argue, the bigger picture reveals that the level of compensation after negotiations has been the same or lower, and that the negotiations seem to have worked as a sort of a safety valve in favour of Aust-Agder.
Norveški organi tudi navajajo, da bi bila shema, razen pomoči za podjetje Nettbuss Sør AS, ureditev nadomestila za javni avtobusni prevoz, če je treba spremembe v letu 2004 ali spremembe od leta 2009 obravnavati kot take, ki so spremenile razvrstitev sheme v novo pomoč, še vedno združljiva z zahtevami iz Uredbe Sveta (EGS) št. 1191/69 [38].
In reference to the fourth Altmark condition, the Norwegian authorities submit that the ALFA-method and the later system of indexation as from 2009 are both based on a benchmarking exercise.
Uredba (ES) št. 1370/2007 Evropskega parlamenta in Sveta [39] (v nadaljnjem besedilu: prevozni predpisi) naj ne bi veljala, saj Uredba v Evropskem gospodarskem prostoru še ni veljala, ko so bile spremembe uvedene.
The compensation is calculated on the basis of the costs and income of a well-run undertaking and not only the average in the sector concerned.
Norveški organi se sklicujejo na sodbo v zadevi Andersen proti Komisiji, v kateri je Splošno sodišče razsodilo, da Uredba ne more imeti retroaktivnega učinka [40].
That said, the ALFA-method provides a basis for the assumption that costs shall correspond to a lower threshold.
Norveški organi zlasti navajajo, da ni kršitve določb Uredbe (EGS) št. 1191/69.
For example, normalised consumption of fuel for a certain number of operations shall correspond to a level which will mean that 33 % of measured values will lie below the norm and 67 % higher than the norm.
To mnenje potrjujeta dejstvi, da so bili parametri za nadomestilo vnaprej določeni za celotno obdobje od leta 2004 do danes ter da po letu 2009 niso mogla potekati pogajanja za prilagoditev ravni nadomestila.
This means that the system is not based on average cost, but on the cost of the 33 % best-run companies.
Zato razen podjetja Nettbuss Sør AS od leta 2004 do danes nobeno podjetje ni prejelo čezmernega nadomestila.
Compensation outside the scheme
Projekt ATP
The Norwegian authorities have further commented as to what has been done to ensure that, with the exception of aid granted to Nettbuss Sør AS, no compensation for local scheduled bus transport and school transport in Aust-Agder has been granted in excess of what is allowed for under the scheme.
V zvezi s projektom ATP so norveški organi navedli, da je bil znesek, ki ga je vsako leto prejelo podjetje Nettbuss Sør AS, nadomestilo za povečan obseg prevozov na progah Kristiansand–Lillesand in Kristiansand–Arendal.
They submit that the introduction of the ALFA-method did not cause any substantial change in the compensation system.
Ob upoštevanju 253 dni na leto je bil povečan obseg prevozov približno 100000 kilometrov na leto.
As a result, the compensation system (before as well as after 2004) consisted of the same elements, basing the compensation on the actual cost figures of the companies.
Cena na uro v višini 200 NOK pomeni približno 350000 NOK dodatnih stroškov.
In the view of the Norwegian authorities this practice has ensured that no overcompensation has taken place and the public service compensation is only calculated for costs connected to the public service obligations.
Zato so skupni stroški znašali približno 950000 NOK.
That said, according to the Norwegian authorities, with the exception of Nettbuss Sør AS, all other transport operators have been reporting only public service productions and income in the spreadsheets for receiving the compensation under the ALFA-method.
Pri ocenjenem prihodku 150000 NOK so neto stroški znašali približno 800000 NOK.
Consequently, there is no reason to believe that these operators have been compensated for anything other than the public service transport.
Glede na to, da so bila sredstva, dodeljena iz naslova projekta ATP, uporabljena za povečanje obsega prevozov po veljavnih pogodbah z okrožjem Aust-Agder, norveški organi navajajo, da se ta obseg prevozov ne razlikuje od drugih povečanj obsegov prevozov po pogodbi (ker so proge že delovale).
Compatibility
Zato povečan obseg prevozov pomeni del veljavne sheme pomoči.