Definitions

577.700. Definitions. — As used in sections 577.700 to 577.718 and section 307.176* unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following terms shall mean:

(1) "Bus", any passenger bus or coach or other motor vehicle having a seating capacity of not less than fifteen passengers operated by a bus transportation company for the purpose of carrying passengers or cargo for hire, but not to include a bus or coach utilized exclusively to transport children to and from schools;

(2) "Bus transportation company" or "company", any person, groups of persons or corporation providing for-hire transport to passengers or cargo by bus upon the highways of this state, whether in interstate or intrastate travel, but not to include a company utilizing buses transporting children to and from school. This term shall also include bus transportation facilities owned or operated by local public bodies, municipalities, public corporations, boards and commissions except school districts established under the laws of this state;

(3) "Charter", a group of persons who, pursuant to a common purpose and under a single contract, and at a fixed charge for the vehicle in accordance with a bus transportation company's tariff, have acquired the exclusive use of a bus to travel together as a group to a specified destination;

(4) "Passenger", any person served by the transportation company and, in addition to the ordinary meaning of passenger, this term shall also include persons accompanying or meeting another who is transported by a company, any person shipping or receiving cargo;

(5) "Terminal", a bus station or depot or any facility operated or leased by or operated on behalf of a bus transportation company, including a reasonable area immediately adjacent to any designated stop along the route traveled by any coach operated by a bus transportation company, and parking lots or parking areas adjacent to a terminal.