In all cases involving controversies respecting rates and charges of telephone companies or public utilities, an appeal from any action or order of the Alabama Public Service Commission in the exercise of the jurisdiction, power and authority conferred upon it by this title, as amended and supplemented, shall lie directly to the Supreme Court of Alabama. All such appeals shall be given a preferred setting in the supreme court and shall be heard and determined by said court en banc. Nothing in this subdivision 2 shall be deemed to apply to any such cases other than those in which rates and charges are involved. All such appeals shall be taken within 30 days from the date of such action or order of the Alabama Public Service Commission and shall be granted as a matter of right and be deemed perfected by filing with the Public Service Commission a bond for the security of the cost of said appeal when the appellant is a utility or person, and by filing notice of an appeal when the appellant is the State of Alabama.