New Jersey § 48:4-1

§ 48:4-1.

The term “ autobus ” as used in this chapter means and includes, except as hereinafter noted, any motor

vehicle or motorbus operated over public highways or public places in this State for

the transportation of passengers for hire in intrastate business, whether used in

regular route, casino, charter or special bus operations, notwithstanding such motor

vehicle or motorbus may be used in interstate commerce. The term “ ridesharing ” as used in this chapter means the transportation of persons in a motor vehicle,

with a maximum carrying capacity of not more than 15 passengers, including the driver,

where such transportation is incidental to the purpose of the driver. The term shall include such ridesharing arrangements known as carpools and vanpools. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to include: a. Vehicles engaged in the transportation of passengers for hire in the manner and

form commonly called taxicab service unless such service becomes or is held out to

be regular service between stated termini; b. Hotel buses used exclusively for the transportation of hotel patrons to or from

local railroad or other common carrier stations including local airports; c. Buses operated for the transportation of enrolled children and adults only when

serving as chaperones to or from a school, school connected activity, day camp, summer

day camp, nursery school, child care center, pre-school center or other similar places

of education, including “School Vehicle Type I” and “School Vehicle Type II” as defined

in R.S. 39:1-1 ; d. Any autobus with a carrying capacity of not more than 13 passengers operated under

municipal consent upon a route established wholly within the limits of a single municipality

or with a carrying capacity of not more than 20 passengers operated under municipal

consent upon a route established wholly within the limits of not more than four contiguous

municipalities within any county of the fifth or sixth class, which route in either

case does not in whole or in part parallel upon the same street the line of any street

railway or traction railway or any other autobus route; e. Autocabs, limousines or livery services as defined in R.S. 48:16-13 , unless such service becomes or is held out to be regular service between stated

termini; f. Any vehicle used in a “ridesharing” arrangement, as defined by the “New Jersey

Ridesharing Act of 1981,” P.L.1981, c. 413 ( C. 27:26-1 et al.); g. Any special paratransit vehicle as defined in this chapter. The word “ person ” as used in this chapter means and includes any individual, copartnership, association,

corporation or joint stock company, their lessees, trustees, or receivers appointed

by any court. The word “ street ” as used in this chapter means and includes any street, avenue, park, parkway, highway,

road or other public place. The term “ special paratransit vehicle ” as used in this chapter means any motor vehicle which is used exclusively for the

transportation of persons who are at least 60 years of age or who have disabilities

or who are the clients of social service agencies, provided, that the motor vehicle

is used in a service provided by a county either directly or by contract, or provided

by a nonprofit organization, and the service is included by a county as part of its

county plan required by section 6 of P.L.1983, c. 578 ( C. 27:25-30 ), regardless of whether a fare is charged or donations are accepted. The term “ regular route bus operation ” as used in this chapter means and includes the operation of an autobus between fixed

termini, on a regular schedule and with provision for convenient one-way transportation

in either direction, and shall also include all existing regular route operations

to or from any casino licensed under the “Casino Control Act,” P.L.1977, c. 110 ( C. 5:12-1 et seq. ), unless that operation to or from casinos has been determined by the Commissioner

of Transportation to be other than a regular route operation. The term “ regular route in the nature of special bus operation ” or “casino bus operation” as used in this chapter means and includes the operation

of an autobus to or from any casino licensed under the “Casino Control Act,” P.L.1977,

c. 110 ( C. 5:12-1 et seq. ), unless that operation has been determined by the Commissioner of Transportation

to be a regular route bus operation. The term “ charter bus operation ” as used in this chapter means and includes the operation of an autobus or autobuses,

not on a regular schedule, by the person owning or leasing such bus or buses pursuant

to a contract, agreement or arrangement to furnish an autobus or autobuses and a driver

or drivers thereof to a person, group of persons or organization (corporate or otherwise)

for a trip designated by such person, group of persons or organization for a fixed

charge per trip, per autobus, per period of time or per mile. The term “ special bus operation ” as used in this chapter means and includes the operation by the owner or lessee

of an autobus or autobuses for the purpose of carrying passengers for hire, not on

a regular schedule, each passenger paying a fixed charge for his carriage, on a special

trip arranged and designated by such owner or lessee, which fixed charge may or may

not include special premiums. The term “ special premiums ” as used in this chapter means the provision of meals, gifts, lodging, entertainment,

sightseeing services or other similar inducements in connection with the purchase

or issuing of a ticket. No casino bonuses shall be included in this definition.