New Public Bathrooms
New York City launches a pilot program installing seventeen free modular public bathrooms.
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Key Points
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The $4 million pilot was first announced in January, and NYCEDC selected Throne Labs through a competitive bidding process in June to deliver, operate and service the bathrooms.
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Throne Labs already operates public-bathroom networks in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, the Bay Area and Detroit.
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The Throne Bathroom app will help users locate the nearest available facility and check its cleanliness rating before entering.
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The pilot follows a 2025 City Council bill that set a goal of creating 1,000 new public bathrooms over the next decade.
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Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn said public restrooms would improve quality of life particularly for older adults, parents with young children, delivery workers and people with disabilities.
New York City is installing 17 free public bathrooms across all five boroughs under a $4 million pilot program led by Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration. USA Today reported that the ADA-accessible, solar-powered units will open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and include running water, flushing toilets, climate control and baby-changing stations. The modular facilities require no permanent water, sewer or power connections, making them easy to move as neighborhood needs change.
Throne Labs, which already operates public bathrooms in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, the Bay Area and Detroit, won the contract to deliver, operate and maintain the units. Freep reported that users can enter via text message, QR code, mobile app or tap card. The company will handle all cleaning, maintenance and real-time monitoring of each facility. Installations begin this week in high-traffic areas and public plazas in Brooklyn and Queens.
A Decade-Long Vision for Public Restrooms
This pilot emerges from a broader city initiative. KRNA noted that the City Council passed a 2025 bill setting a goal to create 1,000 new public bathrooms over the next decade. The 17 modular units represent the first phase of this ambitious expansion. The program addresses a long-standing gap in urban infrastructure that affects thousands of New Yorkers daily.
Who Benefits Most From Public Restrooms
Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn emphasized that public bathrooms improve quality of life for vulnerable populations. Older adults, parents with young children, delivery workers and people with disabilities face particular challenges finding accessible facilities. The new units address these needs by providing free, clean, accessible options in high-traffic neighborhoods. Baby-changing stations and ADA compliance ensure families and people with disabilities can use the facilities comfortably.
Technology Makes Finding and Using Bathrooms Easy
The Throne Bathroom app helps users locate the nearest available facility and check its cleanliness rating before entering. 97X reported that the touchless, self-contained units feature advanced technology for user access and facility monitoring. Multiple entry methods — text message, QR code, app or tap card — ensure people without smartphones can still use the bathrooms. Community partners will distribute tap cards to ensure equitable access across neighborhoods.
A Competitive Selection Process Led to Throne Labs
The New York City Economic Development Corporation selected Throne Labs through competitive bidding in June to deliver, operate and service the bathrooms. Throne Labs' existing networks in six major U.S. cities demonstrate proven expertise managing public restroom infrastructure. The company's real-time monitoring system identifies maintenance issues immediately, ensuring facilities stay clean and functional. The one-year pilot will test whether this model can scale to meet the city's 1,000-bathroom goal.
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