A Push to Unlock Subway Bathrooms as the City Gets Moving Again (Ovid: how much, homeless)

[Aeran]

I would really, really have to be desperate to even think about using a subway restroom.

https://www.thecity.nyc/life/2021/5/...emic-reopening

With a mix of embarrassment and frustration, Scotty Stone described having to step off a subway train, desperate to find a place where he could relieve himself on the sly.

“Luckily, nobody was around, so I had to go to the back of the platform and do whatever I had to do,” said the 53-year-old, who most nights sleeps in Central Park. “I can’t wait — and there’s no bathrooms in the subway.”

All MTA-maintained subway bathrooms — covering 76 stations, 16% of the entire system — have been closed for more than a year as part of the MTA’s efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The shutdown of restrooms in the subway, combined with a shortage of businesses that allow people to use their facilities during the pandemic, have highlighted the city’s long-standing lack of access to places that offer relief.

Internal MTA figures obtained by THE CITY show that in 2021, there have been 526 reports of “soiled” subway car interiors through April 23, most of which are instances where trains were used as toilets.

[pierrepont7731]

Ugh, this City goes more and more backwards every day!

[RICANRICAN]

In the 70s to 90s The mta had to close the the toilets because all the dead bodies they found in them under Rudy G they were able fix them up!!

[antinimby]

I had no idea they were actually opened prior to covid. I have always thought they were permanently shut since the 80’s.

As disgusting as the subway system is, I can imagine how much worst the bathrooms can be. You really have to be desperate to go in one and use it.

[WhyRUMad]

I remember going into a subway restroom back in the 80s. There was a man in there pants down around his ankles cleaning a urinal with a piece of bread and eating it. I was maybe 10 years old and it was horrifying. Lol. I have never gone in one since.

[MB1562]

The ones in Times Square always had a line for them pre-pandemic. I would honestly have to be desperate to even go #1 in them, let alone anything else.

[OyCrumbler]

Yea, this would be good and fine if they have a plan and resources for keeping the restrooms well-cleaned and under watch. Unlocking these without a reasonable plan and resources is going to be a mess, and it'd have to be in lockstep with homeless services as relegating these restrooms to being that service can be a **** poor plan.

[foxyknoxy]

I used them and they are NASTY. Some had no doors , forget soap.

Better off peeing in the street!

[scampy25]

Originally Posted by WhyRUMad

I remember going into a subway restroom back in the 80s. There was a man in there pants down around his ankles cleaning a urinal with a piece of bread and eating it. I was maybe 10 years old and it was horrifying. Lol. I have never gone in one since.

Omg, the visual. I needed that laugh, thank you.

[pierrepont7731]

Originally Posted by WhyRUMad

I remember going into a subway restroom back in the 80s. There was a man in there pants down around his ankles cleaning a urinal with a piece of bread and eating it. I was maybe 10 years old and it was horrifying. Lol. I have never gone in one since.