For the purposes of sections 3 through 9 of P.L. 2013, c. 224(C.56:16-1 et seq.):
"Autobus" means a privately-owned autobus operated over the public highways in this State for the transportation of not more than 40 passengers for hire in intrastate or interstate business except that "autobus" shall not include:
"Bill of Rights for Customers of Certain Autobuses" means the consumer protections, obligations of the owners and operators of autobuses, and basic expectations and guarantees of health, safety, and welfare established pursuant to section 6 of P.L. 2013, c. 224(C.56:16-4).
"For hire" means for direct or indirect hire, any service for which the driver of the vehicle is compensated, or which is included in the duties of the person who renders services for compensation, but shall not include transportation services that are provided to patients or residents of a "boarding or nursing home," as defined by section 2 of P.L. 1977, c.238 (C.26:2H-37), an "assisted living facility," as defined by section 1 of P.L. 2009, c. 61(C.26:2H-12.56), an adult day health care facility or pediatric day health care facility licensed pursuant to P.L. 1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et al.), or to patients, residents, or clients of any facility or other entity that is licensed or approved by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Health to render services to New Jersey residents, unless a charge is assessed each time a patient, resident, or client utilizes the transportation services.
"Operator" means a person who is in actual physical control of an autobus.
"Owner" means a person who holds the legal title of an autobus, or if an autobus is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or if a mortgagor of an autobus is entitled to possession, then the conditional vendee, lessee or mortgagor shall be considered the owner.
N.J.S. § 56:16-2