Whenever any traction company, or company operating or authorized by the laws of this State to operate a street railway or railroad operated as a street railway or an elevated railroad or a subway by means of an overhead trolley system shall operate substituted vehicles of the character described in section 48:15-41 of this Title, such vehicles and the operation thereof shall with respect to traffic regulations, registration as motor vehicles and for the purpose of taxation be deemed to be autobuses, and every such company operating such autobuses as aforesaid shall be required to pay taxes as prescribed by law for street railway and traction companies operating autobuses.
N.J.S. § 48:15-43.2