181 - Rate of fare.

§  181.  Rate  of  fare.   No corporation constructing and operating a  railroad under the provisions of this article, or of chapter two hundred  and fifty-two of the laws of eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-four,  shall  charge  any  passenger more than five cents for one continuous ride from  any point on its road, or on any road, line or branch operated by it, or  under its control, to any other point thereof, or any connecting  branch  thereof, within the limits of any incorporated city or village. Not more  than  one  fare  shall  be charged within the limits of any such city or  village, for passage over the main  line  of  road  and  any  branch  or  extention  thereof  if  the  right to construct such branch or extension  shall have been acquired under the provisions of such chapter or of this  article; except that in any city having a population of less than  fifty  thousand,  or  in  any incorporated village, it shall be lawful for such  corporation to charge and collect as a maximum rate  of  fare  for  each  passenger,  ten  cents,  where  such passenger is carried in a car which  overcomes an elevation of at least four hundred and fifty feet within  a  distance  of  one  and a half miles. This section shall not apply to any  part of any road constructed prior to May sixth,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-four,  and  then  in operation, unless the corporation owning the  same shall have acquired the right to extend such road, or to  construct  branches  thereof  under such chapter, or shall acquire such right under  the provisions of this article, in which event its rate  of  fare  shall  not exceed its authorized rate prior to such extension.  The legislature  expressly  reserves the right to regulate and reduce the rate of fare on  any railroad constructed and operated  wholly  or  in  part  under  such  chapter or under the provisions of this article; and the commissioner of  transportation  shall  possess  the  same  power,  to  be  exercised  as  prescribed in the transportation law.