Brussels prohibits trains merger between Siemens and Alstom

The planned merger of the train divisions of the French industrial group Alstom and its German counterpart Siemens is off the hook.

The decision falls after an investigation into the consequences of the merger for other European rail operators and companies. Despite promises from Alstom and Siemens to sell or license certain business units, the European Commission believes that the choice of high-speed, intercity or regional trains, trams, metros and signaling systems will be reduced by the merger.