Ohio Revised Code Title XLIX. Public Utilities § 4951.22

When the railways of any street railway company, organized under the laws of this state, are constructed or in process of construction, and are or will be operated by electricity, and connect, or will or can be made to connect with the railways of another street railway company formed by the consolidation of companies organized under the laws of this state, or by the consolidation of a company organized under the laws of this state and a company organized under the laws of an adjoining state, whose railways are constructed or in process of construction, and are or will be operated by electricity, so that cars may pass over such railways continuously without break or interruption, such street railway company and such consolidated street railway company may consolidate themselves into a single company in the same manner and with like effect as is provided by law for the consolidation of railroad companies. Companies owning and operating competing railways shall not consolidate under this section, but this limitation does not apply to companies whose railways are nearby or wholly situated in a municipal corporation of this state.