(a) Whenever, after hearing, upon complaint or upon its own initiative, the Arkansas Department of Transportation finds that any minimum rate or charge of any contract carrier by motor vehicle, that any rule or practice of any such carrier affecting the minimum rate or charge, or that the value of the service thereunder for the transportation of passengers or property or in connection therewith contravenes the transportation policy declared in this subchapter, or is in contravention of any provision of this subchapter, the department may prescribe such just and reasonable minimum rates, charges, rules, or practices as in its judgment may be necessary or desirable in the public interest and desirable to promote the policy and will not be in contravention of any provision of this subchapter.
(b) The minimum rate or charge, or such rule or practice so prescribed by the department, shall give no advantage or preference to any carrier in competition with any common carrier by motor vehicle subject to this subchapter, which the department may find to be undue or inconsistent with the public interest and the transportation policy declared in this subchapter.
(c) The department shall give due consideration to the cost of services rendered by contract carriers and to the effect of the minimum rate or charge, or such rule or practice, upon the movement of traffic by such carriers.