Massachusetts § 70A - Steamship companies, ferries, ferry boats, docks, motor vehicles and aircraft
Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 70A — Steamship companies, ferries, ferry boats, docks, motor vehicles and aircraft, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 70A. Steamship companies, ferries, ferry boats, docks, motor vehicles and aircraft
Section 70A. A railroad corporation may acquire, hold, maintain and operate steamship companies, ferries, ferry boats and docks, and either directly or through subsidiaries, may own, maintain and operate motor vehicles not running upon rails or tracks, and aircraft for the transportation of passengers and/or freight. A railroad corporation, or any subsidiary thereof, in maintaining and operating such vehicles, shall be subject to all provisions of chapter ninety and of chapter one hundred and fifty-nine B and to all other laws applicable to aircraft or motor vehicles and the operation thereof, and, in respect to the transportation of passengers, to chapter one hundred and fifty-nine A, but in respect to the transportation of freight shall not be subject to the provisions of chapter one hundred and fifty-nine.
The department may from time to time prescribe forms of accounting reports relating to the operations of motor vehicles for the transportation of passengers or freight by a railroad or subsidiary thereof and such reports shall be made in accordance with the forms prescribed.
Motor vehicles operated by a railroad corporation directly or through subsidiaries for the transportation of freight within the commonwealth shall be operated only in areas now served by such corporation; and the department shall have authority, after a hearing had upon its own motion or upon complaint, to determine specified areas in which or points between which such motor vehicles may be operated and by order to prescribe and limit the number of such vehicles that may be operated by a railroad in such areas or between such points and to regulate the operation of such motor vehicles.
This section shall not be construed to affect any right or privilege derived from the constitution or laws of the United States.
Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 70A
What does Massachusetts General Laws § 70A cover?
Section 70A ("Steamship companies, ferries, ferry boats, docks, motor vehicles and aircraft") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Massachusetts § 70A?
A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 70A" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
How does Massachusetts § 70A apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.