A motor bus is defined to be any motor vehicle, other than a street car, operated upon the public streets and highways along a regular route, and in the operation receiving, discharging, and transporting passengers for hire. However, this definition shall not be construed to apply to transportation services, the route and destination of which are under the direction and subject to the control of the passengers so transported. (Added 1985, No. 224 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)