During Tuesday night's borough council meeting, Mayor Leo Lutz addressed concerns about the recent removal of the Locust Street bus shelter. According to Lutz, the South Central Transit Authority (SCTA) made the decision following reports of unsanitary conditions and safety issues.
Police Chief Jack Brommer explained that while he had requested SCTA conduct a site survey due to reports of human waste and excessive litter, "it was ultimately the bus authority's decision to remove it," Brommer noted.
"I don't care how it was removed, I do care that it was removed," Lutz stated during the meeting. He emphasized that the shelter's design, which included a back wall where people could hide from view, contributed to ongoing maintenance challenges.
Lutz explained that the shelter was originally installed through a federal grant in conjunction with Red Rose Transit Authority (RRTA) and an advertising company. Initially, the advertising company was responsible for maintaining the structure, but those duties eventually fell to SCTA, with borough employees often assisting with cleaning.
"We can't ask our employees to clean up those kind of messes," Lutz said, referring to the unsanitary conditions found at the site. Since the removal, though, Lutz said,"I have not heard any comments from those that ride the bus. I think they're glad that there's a sanitary place there now for them, and a clean place for them. It had to go."
According to an April 8, 2025 LNP/LancasterOnline article:
"Greg Downing, SCTA executive director, said the shelter was removed at the borough’s suggestion. He said a cleaning service stopped by the shelter once a week, but the conditions would become so bad in the interim that people wouldn’t wait inside of the shelter unless it was raining."
"I don't care how it was removed, I do care that it was removed," Lutz stated during the meeting. He emphasized that the shelter's design, which included a back wall where people could hide from view, contributed to ongoing maintenance challenges.
Lutz explained that the shelter was originally installed through a federal grant in conjunction with Red Rose Transit Authority (RRTA) and an advertising company. Initially, the advertising company was responsible for maintaining the structure, but those duties eventually fell to SCTA, with borough employees often assisting with cleaning.
"We can't ask our employees to clean up those kind of messes," Lutz said, referring to the unsanitary conditions found at the site. Since the removal, though, Lutz said,"I have not heard any comments from those that ride the bus. I think they're glad that there's a sanitary place there now for them, and a clean place for them. It had to go."
The mayor was careful to note that he doesn't believe the issues stemmed from Columbia's homeless population. "I don't think it came from those folks that are in our shelter seeking help," he said. "I think it comes from transients or people who just live like animals. It's a shame that some people have to lose because of the acts of others, but we'll try to make it better."
Borough Council President Heather Zink said of the removal, "Council had no knowledge that it was happening before it happened," but expressed support for the decision.
Currently, the bus stop remains active with two benches available for waiting passengers. Mayor Lutz mentioned that during inclement weather, people are welcome to take shelter in the lobby of the borough office when it's open. The borough also maintains a public restroom at borough hall for bus passengers, according to Lutz.
No definite plans for a replacement shelter have been announced, though officials have indicated openness to future options, including relocating it.
Borough Council President Heather Zink said of the removal, "Council had no knowledge that it was happening before it happened," but expressed support for the decision.
Currently, the bus stop remains active with two benches available for waiting passengers. Mayor Lutz mentioned that during inclement weather, people are welcome to take shelter in the lobby of the borough office when it's open. The borough also maintains a public restroom at borough hall for bus passengers, according to Lutz.
No definite plans for a replacement shelter have been announced, though officials have indicated openness to future options, including relocating it.
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