Touchless public bathrooms roll out across NYC, drawing praise and concern
A total of 17 touchless, ADA-accessible bathrooms have opened up across the city as part of a $4 million pilot program by the city.
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New York City is expanding access to public restrooms with the installation of 17 touchless, ADA-accessible bathroom units across the five boroughs. Four of the new facilities are located in Brooklyn, while four more have been placed in the Bronx, including one directly across from Yankee Stadium.
The $4 million pilot project launched in September and is designed to provide clean, accessible restroom options for residents and visitors in areas where public bathroom access has traditionally been limited. It is also meant to service areas with high traffic.
Each unit is equipped with a range of modern amenities, including running water, flushing toilets, climate control, and baby-changing stations. Users can gain entry through multiple methods, including text message, QR code, or a tap card, making the facilities accessible and easy to use.
To help ensure availability and prevent misuse, the city has implemented a 10-minute time limit for each visit. Once the allotted time expires, the restroom door automatically opens. Officials say the measure is intended to keep the facilities available for people who need them.
While the new bathrooms are intended to address a longstanding public need, some residents remain skeptical about how the facilities will be maintained.
“It’s not going to be helpful,” one resident said. “It’s going to be more dirty. Because some people don’t take care of their bathrooms at home. So what, you think they’re going to take care of the bathrooms in public?”
Others voiced concerns about possible misuse despite the built-in safeguards.
“Even though there’s supposed to be a time limit, people are going to be doing what in it?” another resident said.
City officials say the pilot program will operate for one year. Each restroom station is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and can be found using the Throne Bathroom Network app.
