‘Not a place to scroll': NYC's new public bathrooms auto-open door after 10 minutes

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Wednesday that the installation of 17 new public bathrooms is underway across New York City, part of his previously announced effort to bring free, accessible facilities to public plazas and high-traffic areas that haven’t reliably had them.

Each bathroom will have a running-water sink, flushing toilet, climate control, and a baby-changing station. They’re mobile. They’re touchless. They’ll play music.

Just don’t dawdle. There’s a 10-minute time limit. And the door opens at the bell. (There are flashing lights, too. Breakdown around the 25-minute mark in the press conference below.)

As Mamdani said at Wednesday’s announcement, “This is not a place to scroll.”

Mamdani publicized the Request for Proposals for the city’s $4 million modular public bathroom pilot in January. In June, the New York City Economic Development Corporation selected Throne Labs, which operates public bathroom networks in other major cities, to deliver, operate, and service the bathrooms.

The self-contained units do not require connections to water, sewer, or power infrastructure, allowing them to be deployed, relocated, or removed as community needs change.

Don’t worry, you’ll get plenty of warnings that your 10 minutes are almost up, and then one final one before the door opens. It’s on a slight delay. Risky.

The new bathrooms are part of a year-long pilot program.

People enter the bathrooms by text message, QR code, through the Throne Bathroom Network app or a tap card distributed by local community partners. The app also allows users to find the nearest bathroom, check real-time cleanliness ratings and see whether a unit is available.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani signs legislation creating a new program expanding access to automated bathrooms around the city. (Image: New York City Mayor’s Office)

Here are some of the planned locations for the rollout:

• Bronx: Yankee Stadium, Admiral Farragut Playground, Mapes Park and Monsignor Raul Del Valle Square
• Brooklyn: Columbus Park, Milestone Park, Fulton Street and Truxton Street and Avenue C Plaza
• Queens: Astoria Boulevard South and 31st Street, Northern Boulevard and 31st Street, Northern Boulevard and 54th Street and 34th Avenue and 64th Street
• Manhattan: Cooper Square, Malcolm X Plaza, Delancey Street and Suffolk Street and Plaza Alianza Dominicana
• Staten Island: North Shore Esplanade

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