COLUMBUS, Ohio — The operators of a bus terminal in west Columbus agreed to reduce its operations after the city filed a lawsuit last year over safety concerns.
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein announced the agreement Friday, stating that it will prohibit the pickup and drop-off of passengers at the North Wilson Road facility.
The pickup and drop-off locations will move to alternative locations, including the John Glenn Columbus International Airport and The Ohio State University campus. A third location will be determined at a later date.
“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,” said Klein. “From the start, I’ve said that our priorities are to make this site safe and secure for passengers and surrounding neighbors and to work toward a long term solution that moves operations to a permanent, more appropriate site. This agreement is a positive next step on both fronts.”
The changes will be in place while the search for a long-term interstate terminal continues, according to Klein’s office.
According to the terms of the agreement, Barons Bus must submit an updated site plan for the city to review within the next 30 days. Also, within 120 days of the order, Barons and Greyhound Lines must transition the property to be used only for ticket sales and passenger transfers.
Operators will also be prohibited from scheduling any layovers of more than two hours and having more than four buses at the site at any one time.
The operators must have two security guards at all times for the next 180 days, according to the terms of the agreement.
“The City has been in regular communication with neighbors throughout this process, and we are encouraged by the steps operators have agreed upon to address many of the issues that have plagued this property,” said City Attorney’s Property Action Team Chief Steve Dunbar. “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. Safety and access to these services remain our priority.”
A status conference between the city and the operators of the terminal is slated for July.