Which type of carrier does not serve the general public but operates under a specific contract?

The correct answer is that contract carriers do not serve the general public but operate under specific contracts with individual shippers. This means that their services are available only to those customers who have signed a contract with them, rather than being open to anyone who might wish to use their services, as is the case with common carriers. Contract carriers can provide more tailored services, often offering specialized rates and specific capacities that meet the unique needs of their contracted clients.

In contrast, common carriers are required by law to transport goods for any customer willing to pay the established rate. Private carriers own and operate their own transportation assets primarily to move their own goods, rather than those of the general public. Shared carriers is not a recognized term in the context of public and private transportation services and does not correspond to a specific category of service providers. Therefore, contract carriers stand out for their exclusive service agreements, which differentiates them from other types of carriers in the logistics sector.