The division of transportation is hereby authorized to purchase, hire, lease, construct, own, maintain and operate a system of public transportation, as may be directed by the city council or city manager, and to dispose of the services thereof; and to supervise and control, as far as the city can exercise it, all privately owned or operated public utilities in the city, and to enforce the terms of all franchises and ordinances relating to such utilities.

(Code 1964, § 14.2010)