48:12-118.1. Greater rate for way freight; lesser rate for long hauls; board may authorize; restrictions
The board of public utility commissioners may, upon application, after investigation and hearing, authorize in writing any railroad company to charge or receive a greater rate of compensation for transportation of property between way stations, or between a terminal station and a way station, than for transportation of such property between terminal stations, or to charge less for any longer distance than for any shorter distance for the transportation of property where competitive conditions make it equitable.
In exercising the authority conferred upon it hereby the board shall not permit the establishment of any charge to or from the more distant point that is not reasonably compensatory for the service performed; and if a circuitous rail line or route is, because of such circuity, granted authority to meet the charges of a more direct line or route to or from competitive points and to maintain higher charges to or from intermediate points on its line, the authority shall not include intermediate points as to which the haul of the petitioning line or route is not longer than that of the direct line or route between the competitive points; and no such authorization shall be granted on account of merely potential competition not actually in existence.