Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1621 and 1627 actions against any individual or company owning, operating or leasing a street railway or line of railroad or motor bus or truck route, for the transportation of passengers or freight in this state, shall be commenced either in the county where the cause of action arose or in the county of the plaintiff‘s residence, if the line or route of such individual or company traverses either the county where the cause of action arose or the county of the plaintiff’s residence. If such line or route does not traverse in either such county, then suits against such individual or company may be started in any county in which such individual or company has its principal place of business or owns, operates or leases a line or route.