(a)
(1) Whenever, after hearing, upon complaint, or in an investigation on its own initiative, the Arkansas Department of Transportation shall be of the opinion that any individual or joint rate, fare, or charge, demanded, charged, or collected by any common carriers by railroad, express, or water for transportation, or that any classification, rule, or practice whatsoever of the carriers affecting the rate, fare, or charge or the value of the service thereunder, is or will be unjust or unreasonable, unjustly discriminatory, or unduly preferential, or unduly prejudicial, it shall determine and prescribe the lawful rate, fare, or charge or the maximum or minimum rate, fare, or charge thereafter to be observed, or the lawful classification, rule, or practice thereafter to be made effective.
(2) Whenever deemed by it to be necessary or desirable in the public interest, after hearing, upon complaint, the department shall establish through routes and joint rates, fares, charges, rules, or practices applicable to the transportation of passengers by common carriers by motor vehicle or establish the maximum or minimum rates, fares, or charges to be charged and the terms and conditions under which the through routes shall be operated.
(b) Nothing in this subchapter shall empower the department to prescribe or in any manner regulate the rate, fare, or charge for interstate transportation or for any service connected therewith.