Underground toilets? NYC subways should promote the fact they have bathrooms, borough president says

Ronny Reyes, Haley Brown
·2 min read
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine is calling on the MTA to launch a campaign to raise awareness of where renovated bathrooms are located in the sprawling transit system.
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine is calling on the MTA to launch a campaign to raise awareness of where renovated bathrooms are located in the sprawling transit system.
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It’s his No. 1 priority.

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine wants the MTA to promote the fact there are actual, functioning bathrooms in the subway with a steady stream of announcements and ads.

“The number one reaction I’ve gotten has been ‘wait there’s bathrooms on the subway?'” Levine told The Post Tuesday. “It’s incredible how few people knew they existed.”

Riders who have to go would be relieved to know that toilets are nearby — and “better than you might expect.”

The MTA has reopened bathrooms at 59 stations across New York City. WABC
The MTA has reopened bathrooms at 59 stations across New York City. WABC
The bathrooms are newly renovated following their closures during the pandemic. WABC
The bathrooms are newly renovated following their closures during the pandemic. WABC

“They’re staffed and have undergone maintenance,” Levine said. “They’re cleaner than I expected. There’s just one problem: most riders have no idea they exist.”

Levine sent a letter to NYC Transit President Richard Davey recommending a public awareness campaign, telling The Post bathrooms could be noted on maps or announced on automated announcements when a train arrives at a stop.

“We’ve all been caught on the subway when you needed a bathroom and there wasn’t one and it’s very uncomfortable,” Levine said.

Prior to the pandemic, there were 133 bathrooms at subway stations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx.

As of Tuesday, 59 stations have restrooms that are open following renovations, with the stalls available between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to the MTA.

Levine said he wants the MTA to install new signs and wayfinding signals pointing riders to the restrooms.

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine wants the MTA to make it more clear to customers about where the bathrooms are. Robert Miller
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine wants the MTA to make it more clear to customers about where the bathrooms are. Robert Miller

The proposed signs would complement the digital bathroom maps that Levine says should be installed in subway stations, as well as updates to the MTA map.

The MTA said it was reviewing Levine’s letter.