As used in this part, the term:

(1) "Bus" means any passenger bus or coach or other motor vehicle having a seating capacity of not less than 15 passengers operated by a transportation company for the purpose of carrying passengers or cargo for hire.

(2) "Charter" means a group of persons, pursuant to a common purpose and under a single contract and at a fixed charge for the vehicle in accordance with a transportation company's tariff, who have acquired the exclusive use of a bus or rail vehicle to travel together as a group to a specified destination.

(3) "Passenger" means any person served by the transportation company; and, in addition to the ordinary meaning of passenger, the term shall include any person accompanying or meeting another person who is transported by such company, any person shipping or receiving cargo, and any person purchasing a ticket or receiving a pass.

(4) "Rail vehicle" means any railroad or rail transit car, carriage, coach, or other vehicle, whether self-propelled or pulled or pushed by a locomotive or other vehicle or vehicles, having a seating capacity of not less than 15 passengers, and operated upon a rail or rails or other fixed right of way by a transportation company for the purpose of carrying passengers or cargo for hire.

(5) "Terminal" means a bus or rail vehicle station, depot, or any facility operated by a transportation company. This term includes a reasonable area immediately adjacent to any designated stop along the route traveled by any coach or rail vehicle operated by a transportation company and parking lots or parking areas adjacent to a terminal.

(6) "Transportation company" or "company" means any person, group of persons, or corporation providing for-hire transportation to passengers or cargo by bus upon the highways in this state, by rail vehicle upon any public or private right of way in this state, or by both, including passengers and cargo in interstate or intrastate travel. This term shall also include transportation facilities owned or operated by local public bodies; by municipalities; and by public corporations, boards, and commissions established under the laws of the state.