54-13-317 - Limitation on rates when part of highway system.

54-13-317. Limitation on rates when part of highway system.

(a)  Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), no person shall charge as ferriage on any stream on any highway included in the state highway system or maintained in whole or part by the department of transportation more than the rate fixed as follows:

Automobile and passengers $2.00

Person, each, on foot .50

Truck or bus (one (1) ton capacity and under) and driver 2.00

Truck or bus (one (1) ton capacity and over) and driver 4.00

Automobile trailer 1.50

Truck trailer or bus trailer 3.00

Motorcycle and driver 2.00

(b)  Upon application submitted to the department requesting a waiver of the maximum rate fixed within subsection (a), the commissioner may fix a maximum rate in excess of that fixed within subsection (a). Any maximum rate fixed by the commissioner pursuant to this subsection (b) shall be promulgated as a rule in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. In promulgating any such rule, the commissioner shall give due consideration to:

     (1)  The public's need for adequate and efficient ferriage service at a reasonable and prudent cost; and

     (2)  The ferry operator's need of revenues sufficient to enable the operator, using honest, economical, and efficient management, to provide the ferriage services and to earn a reasonable profit.

[Acts 1927, ch. 12, § 1; Code 1932, § 3034; Acts 1972, ch. 600, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1972, ch. 829, § 7; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 54-1727; Acts 1989, ch. 387, § 2.]