New York Consolidated Laws, Railroad Law - RRD § 181. Rate of fare

No corporation constructing and operating a railroad under the provisions of this article, or of chapter two hundred and fifty-two of the laws of eighteen hundred and eighty-four, shall charge any passenger more than five cents for one continuous ride from any point on its road, or on any road, line or branch operated by it, or under its control, to any other point thereof, or any connecting branch thereof, within the limits of any incorporated city or village.  Not more than one fare shall be charged within the limits of any such city or village, for passage over the main line of road and any branch or extention   1 thereof if the right to construct such branch or extension shall have been acquired under the provisions of such chapter or of this article;  except that in any city having a population of less than fifty thousand, or in any incorporated village, it shall be lawful for such corporation to charge and collect as a maximum rate of fare for each passenger, ten cents, where such passenger is carried in a car which overcomes an elevation of at least four hundred and fifty feet within a distance of one and a half miles.  This section shall not apply to any part of any road constructed prior to May sixth, eighteen hundred and eighty-four, and then in operation, unless the corporation owning and same shall have acquired the right to extend such road, or to construct branches thereof under such chapter, or shall acquire such right under the provisions of this article, in which event its rate of fare shall not exceed its authorized rate prior to such extension.  The legislature expressly reserves the right to regulate and reduce the rate of fare on any railroad constructed and operated wholly or in part under such chapter or under the provisions of this article;  and the commissioner of transportation shall possess the same power, to be exercised as prescribed in the transportation law.