Aerial work is by no means public transport.
But you need approved operation manual for that in my country (France).
If your company is doing powerline survey for itself, it is just private flying, even if you get paid as a pilot. (but your company has to provide the plane, not you).
If the company is performing this survey for a third party for money, than you are performing aerial work. And it requires an approved ops manual by the CAA, special insurrance....