Pickups and drop offs at issue-ridden West Side bus terminal will cease completely
Pickups and drop-offs at the Wilson Road bus depot on Columbus' West Side will soon cease after almost a year of back-and-forth arguing between the bus operators and the city over health and safety concerns.
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein announced Friday that Barons Bus and Greyhound Lines reached an agreement to "drastically reduce operations" while searching for a new bus terminal site.
In the next 30 days, the bus operators must submit an updated plan for that site, and in 120 days, must stop passenger pickups and drop-offs and limit their operations to ticket sales and bus transfers. However, "heightened safety and security measures" will remain at the Hilltop location, which was once a gas station, according to a news release from Klein's office.
Pickup and drop-off locations will move to two already existing locations, according to the agreement, including the John Glenn Columbus International Airport and another at the Ohio State University campus. Barons and Greyhound must work with the city and to determine a third location within that 120-day transition period.
“Signing a court order to drastically reduce operations, address congestion and overcrowding issues, and maintain strict safety and security measures at the Wilson Road Terminal is a win for neighbors and the City,” Klein said in the prepared release. “From the start, I’ve said that our priorities are to make this site safe and secure for passengers and surrounding neighbors."
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Over 100 residents have complained about crime — including a shooting — litter, traffic, illegal parking and other issues since the new station opened.
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For the next 180 days, Barons and Greyhound are required under the agreement to keep two "properly licensed" security guards on site at all times. The operators will also be required to maintain cameras, lights and security systems, offer restrooms with running water and conduct daily trash pick up, among other requirements.
The city is also requiring increased transparency of Barons and Greyhound in the agreement. The operators must, at any time, disclose their progress in finding a "more appropriate" location for a permanent terminal.
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“If at any point we see Barons or Greyhound deviate from this plan or refuse to work with the city, we will not hesitate to bring them before the court and hold them accountable," said Steve Dunbar, the city attorney's property action team chief. "Safety and access to these services remain our priority.”
A status conference between the parties is set for early July.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus bus update: pickups and drop-offs at West Side stop to cease
