Legal Definitions - public carrier

A public carrier, also known as a common carrier, is a business or individual that transports goods or people for a fee, offering its services to the general public without discrimination. Unlike a private carrier, which can choose its customers, a public carrier is legally obligated to serve anyone who requests its services, provided they are willing to pay the standard charges and there is no reasonable excuse for refusal (such as safety concerns or lack of capacity). Due to this public duty, public carriers are typically subject to stricter regulations and a higher standard of liability for the safe delivery of goods or passengers.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of a public carrier:

• Interstate Trucking Company: Imagine "Cross-Country Haulers Inc.," a large trucking company that advertises its services to transport freight for any business across state lines. They have a fleet of trucks and published rates for various types of cargo. If a manufacturing company needs to ship a pallet of goods from New York to California and offers to pay Cross-Country Haulers' standard fee, the trucking company generally cannot refuse the shipment unless there's a valid reason, such as the cargo being hazardous and not properly declared, or if they genuinely lack the capacity at that specific time. This demonstrates their duty to serve the public.

• Local Taxi Service: Consider "City Cab," a taxi company operating in a metropolitan area. Their taxis are available for hire by anyone on the street or through a dispatch service. If a person hails a City Cab and requests a ride to a destination within the service area, the taxi driver is generally obligated to provide the service for the standard fare. They cannot refuse a passenger simply because they don't like their appearance or prefer a different route, highlighting their role as a public carrier for individuals.

• Major Airline: "Global Wings Airlines" operates scheduled passenger flights between numerous cities worldwide. When an individual purchases a ticket for a flight, Global Wings is acting as a public carrier. They are obligated to transport the passenger and their luggage according to the terms of the ticket, provided the passenger meets all safety and security requirements. The airline cannot arbitrarily deny boarding to a ticketed passenger without a legitimate reason, such as the passenger being disruptive or posing a security risk, illustrating their responsibility to the traveling public.