Section 218. Long and short hauls.

It shall be unlawful for any person or corporation, owning or operating a railroad in this State, or any common carrier, to charge or receive any greater compensation in the aggregate for the transportation of passengers, or of property of like kind, under substantially similar circumstances and conditions, for a shorter than for a longer distance over the same line, in the same direction, the shorter being included within the longer distance; but this shall not be construed as authorizing any common carrier, or person or corporation, owning or operating a railroad in this State, to receive as great compensation for a shorter as for a longer distance: Provided, That upon application to the state agency as may have jurisdiction over such matters, such common carrier, or person or corporation owning or operating a railroad in this State, may in special cases, after investigation by the appropriate state agency, be authorized to charge less for longer than for shorter distances for the transportation of passengers, or property; and the appropriate state agency may, from time to time, prescribe the extent to which such common carrier, or person or corporation, owning or operating a railroad in this State, may be relieved from the operation of this section.