MTA’s Subway Restrooms in Poor Condition, Inspector General Reports

The MTA isn’t exactly shining when it comes to maintaining subway restrooms in New York City.

On Tuesday, the MTA’s Office of Inspector General revealed findings from inspections of 32 out of 125 subway facilities. They uncovered numerous issues, including missing locks and toilet seats, and shortages of basic necessities like toilet paper, soap, and trash cans.

“It’s crucial to have bathrooms that are not just functional, but usable,” stated MTA IG Daniel Cote.

“Restrooms lacking toilet seats, toilet paper, or door locks compromise the comfort, hygiene, and safety passengers rightly expect,” he added.

The report showed that out of 27 bathrooms inspected, 85%—that’s 23—were missing at least one essential item like toilet paper, soap, or had broken locks. Some were even cluttered with trash and graffiti.

Specifically, over a quarter of the 37 toilets inspected—10 in total—had stainless steel bowls without toilet seats, in both men’s and women’s restrooms.

“Toilet seats shouldn’t be viewed as a luxury; they’re essential,” the report emphasized, pointing to hygiene issues.

Moreover, 13 of the 37 stalls, more than a third, were found without toilet paper.

In one instance, Bathroom 14 was missing a trash can. Others had issues like trash accumulation, broken locks or graffiti, and non-functional soap dispensers, light fixtures, and hand dryers.

While the plumbing appeared to work, which is a plus, the overall sanitary conditions left much to be desired, the IG’s office noted.

Finding a restroom can also be tricky. The report indicated the MTANYC Transit isn’t effectively letting riders know where subway restrooms are or if they’re open.

The IG offered nine recommendations to the NYC Transit Authority aimed at enhancing the cleanliness and maintenance of these facilities.

Some suggestions included fitting all newly installed toilets with seats and addressing existing ones that are missing their seats.

There was also a recommendation to use QR codes to enable customers to provide immediate feedback.

The New York City Department of Transportation, however, reviewed this recommendation and deemed it unnecessary, considering existing communication channels.

In response to the report, the MTA stated it is working harder to keep subway restrooms open and clean, especially after closures during the pandemic.

“New York City Transit has reopened restrooms at 60 stations across all four metro boroughs since the COVID-19 shutdowns, improved lighting, updated fixtures, and given facilities a fresh coat of paint,” said MTA spokeswoman Joanna Flores.

“We are committed to ongoing improvements for our customers and appreciate the Inspector General acknowledging this progress.”

Interestingly, this was the first inspection of subway restrooms since 2001—almost 25 years ago. The report noted some improvements by the NYC Department of Transportation regarding restroom maintenance; however, many issues persist.