54 - Notice of starting trains; no preferences.

§  54.  Notice  of  starting  trains;  no  preferences. Every railroad  corporation shall start and run  its  cars  for  the  transportation  of  passengers  and property at regular times, to be fixed by public notice,  and shall furnish sufficient accommodations for  the  transportation  of  all passengers and property which shall be offered for transportation at  the  place of starting, within a reasonable time previously thereto, and  at the junctions of other railroads, and at the  usual  stopping  places  established for receiving and discharging way passengers and freight for  that  train; and shall take, transport and discharge such passengers and  property at, from and to such places, on the due payment of the fare  or  freight  legally  authorized  therefor.    No station established by any  railroad corporation for the reception  or  delivery  of  passengers  or  property,  or  both,  shall  be  discontinued without the consent of the  commissioner of transportation first had and obtained. No preference for  the transaction of the business of a common carrier upon its cars, or in  its depots or buildings, or upon its grounds, shall be  granted  by  any  railroad  corporation to any one of two or more persons, associations or  corporations competing in the same  business,  or  in  the  business  of  transporting  property for themselves or others.  Any such station in an  incorporated village shall have the same name as  the  village;  if  any  road  shall  have  more  than  one  such station in any such village the  station nearest the geographical center thereof shall  have  such  name.  Names  of  stations  may  be  changed  on  the  petition  of  any person  interested with the consent of the commissioner of transportation.    If  the  name  of  any  station  has been heretofore changed by the railroad  company, the commissioner of transportation may restore the name changed  or make such change therein as the circumstances require.