Watchdog takes on hospitals and cable TV
The price regulator said his office saved Swiss households SFr290 million ($273 million) by intervening in various sectors last year.
Rudolf Strahm said he was successful in 2007 namely by taking action to reduce hospital fees, railway ticket prices and cable television rates.
On Thursday Strahm said his office registered 1,312 complaints, about the same as in 2006 and only around 50 shy of the record in 2005.
Many complaints concerned high tariffs charged by public utilities such as power companies, sewage treatment plants as well as hospitals.
This year the price watchdog will investigate price-fixing charges levelled at the post office for logistics services, telecoms companies and will again look into hospital fees.
The post of federal price regulator stems from the law on price surveillance that came into force in 1986. The legislation came about as a result of a people’s initiative.
The task of the civil servant is to monitor the level of prices of goods and services fixed by cartels and companies.
Strahm can make recommendations to the authorities. As far as companies are concerned, if he cannot find an amicable solution, he can forbid all or part of a rise or decrease in price levels.
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