And international fares sometimes fall below the levels set by the transport association.

Many transport associations are themselves seeing it that way now.

Over all, the transport association said, such episodes have increased around fivefold since 1995.

All public transport is a part of a regional transport association.

Steep competition lowered fares by about 10 percent last year from 1985, according to the transport association.

Repeated telephone calls to the transport association's headquarters in Montreal were not returned.

The transport association sent its letter on Dec. 4.

Nevertheless, the transport association has not always been able to get all airlines to follow the agreed-upon fares.

It is not currently part of any transport association, so standard DB fares apply.

The town belongs to the Rhein-Nahe-Nahverkehrsverbund - a local transport association.