Lehigh Valley Transit Co. v. Public Service Commission

Citations

• 78 Pa. Super. 105
• 1921 Pa. Super. LEXIS 350

Syllabus

<p>Public Service Company Law — Street railway companies — Voluntary joint freight service — Public Service Commission — Jurisdiction to regulate and apportion rates.</p> <p>A street railway company, which for ten years has been engaged with another railway in the joint transportation of light freight, is subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission in regard to the regulation and apportionment of the joint rates charged by the two companies for such service.</p> <p>The exception contained in article Y, section 7, of the Public Service Company Law of 1913, does not apply to companies which have voluntarily engaged in the business of the joint transportation of freight. That section relates wholly to the compulsory connection and interchange of service, and has nothing to do with through service voluntarily established.</p> <p>While a company might not be compelled to perform a certain service, where it voluntarily undertakes it, it renders itself subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission and may be required to perform the service adequately, fairly and reasonably, without preference or discrimination.</p>