(23) " public carrier" means an owner of a transport vehicle who transports or undertakes to transport goods, or any class of goods, for another person at any time and in any public place for hire or reward, whether in pursuance of the terms of a contract or agreement or otherwise, and includes any person. body, association or company engaged in the business of carrying the goods of persons associated with that person, body, association or company for the purpose of having their goods transported;