(a) Where in this state two (2) or more connecting lines of railroad are operated by, or under, one (1) management or company, or where the majority of the stock of each of two (2) or more railroad companies whose tracks connect is owned or controlled, either directly or indirectly, by any one (1) of these companies, the lines of railroad of all these companies, in respect to the application and making of rates within the meaning and intent of §§ 23-4-601, 23-4-602, 23-4-608 — 23-4-610, 23-4-615, 23-4-706, 23-10-301, and 23-11-101 shall be considered as constituting but one and the same railroad.
(b) Rates for the carriage of freight or passengers over these railroads or any portion of them shall be computed upon a continuous-mileage basis, the same as upon the line of a single railroad company, whether these railroads have separate boards of directors or not.
(c) The Arkansas Department of Transportation shall have the power to fix different rates for different lines bearing the relation to each other described in this section whenever it finds such action necessary to do justice.