Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions and general provisions in this section govern the construction of this chapter:

     (1) "Commission" means the Washington utilities and transportation commission;

     (2) "Person or persons" means an individual, a corporation, association, joint stock association, and partnership, their lessees, trustees, or receivers;

     (3) "Public highway" includes every public street, road, or highway in this state;

     (4) "Motor vehicle" means every self-propelled vehicle with seating capacity for seven or more persons, excluding the driver;

     (5) Subject to the exclusions of RCW 81.70.030, "charter party carrier" means every person engaged in the transportation over any public highways in this state of a group of persons, who, pursuant to a common purpose and under a single contract, acquire the use of a motor vehicle to travel together as a group to a specified destination or for a particular itinerary, either agreed upon in advance or modified by the chartered group after leaving the place of origin;

     (6) Subject to the exclusion of RCW 81.70.030, "excursion service carrier" means every person engaged in the transportation of persons for compensation over any public highway in this state from points of origin within the incorporated limits of any city or town or area, to any other location within the state of Washington and returning to that origin. The service must not pick up or drop off passengers after leaving and before returning to the area of origin. The excursions may be regularly scheduled. Compensation for the transportation offered or afforded must be computed, charged, or assessed by the excursion service company on an individual fare basis.

[2007 c 234 § 55; 1989 c 163 § 6; 1988 c 30 § 1; 1969 c 132 § 1; 1965 c 150 § 3.]