New York City began installing 17 modular public restrooms this month under a one-year, $4 million pilot announced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, with Throne Labs operating the units and entry available by text, QR code, the Throne app or a city-distributed tap card — officials say tap cards will be handed out by local community partners and signage will list where cards are available within a 10-minute walk. Source: https://youtu.be/TieKGgiyyFc&t=84
# What’s happening
– The city began installing 17 modular public restrooms this month.
– Throne Labs will operate, clean, and maintain the 17 units.
– The pilot runs for one year and is funded at $4 million.
# Why it matters
– People who spend long shifts outside and neighborhoods with few toilets are affected.
– Reliable, free toilets reduce public health and dignity issues for residents and unhoused New Yorkers.
# Key details
– Pilot size: 17 modular toilets installed across five boroughs.
– Funding: $4 million pilot.
– Hours: Units open daily, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
– Access methods: text message, QR code, Throne Bathroom Network app, or a tap card.
– Maintenance: Throne Labs hired to clean and service units; units cleaned frequently.
– Locations include Yankee Stadium, Cooper Square, Columbus Park, and North Shore Esplanade.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani
– Role or jurisdiction: Mayor of New York City.
– Action taken or responsibility: Announced and launched the 17-unit modular restroom pilot.
– Relevant numbers or dates: Pilot announced September 16, 2026; one-year pilot; $4 million. Source: https://youtu.be/TieKGgiyyFc&t=84
Throne Labs
– Role or jurisdiction: Private operator of modular public restrooms.
– Action taken or responsibility: Selected by city to deliver, operate, and maintain the 17 units.
– Relevant numbers or dates: Selected by NYCEDC in June; operates network in multiple U.S. cities. Source: https://youtu.be/TieKGgiyyFc
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
– Role or jurisdiction: City agency that runs procurement for economic projects.
– Action taken or responsibility: Ran the competitive procurement that selected Throne Labs for the pilot.
– Relevant numbers or dates: Selection announced in June as part of the $4 million pilot. Source: https://youtu.be/TieKGgiyyFc
The city’s answer to people without phones or with uncharged devices centers on physical tap cards distributed through local community partners, plus visible signage on each unit that lists where cards are available within about a 10-minute walk. City officials said partners in the neighborhood will hand out the tap cards so people who lack smartphones can still enter the units. Source: https://youtu.be/TieKGgiyyFc&t=732
Throne Labs and city officials described multiple non-phone entry and assistance measures: units can be opened by tap card, and each unit will display the address, hours, and locations where tap cards are distributed. Throne’s co-founder said signage will direct users to nearby distribution points and that the company’s real-time systems create tickets when cleanliness issues are reported. Source: https://youtu.be/TieKGgiyyFc&t=947
When reporters asked how the entry system would work for unhoused New Yorkers without phones or during off hours, the mayor emphasized two points: (1) the feedback loop that reports cleanliness and triggers faster cleaning, and (2) local partners located within walking distance who will distribute tap cards to ensure physical access for those without phones. The mayor framed local distribution as a critical part of access. Source: https://youtu.be/TieKGgiyyFc&t=1305
Throne Labs described operational safeguards officials say limit misuse and support users. Company representatives said units are cleaned frequently (on average every 10–15 uses), staff can respond quickly when the system flags issues, and the door will alert and eventually open after warnings if a user remains inside too long. Throne also said staff will receive training on Narcan. Source: https://youtu.be/TieKGgiyyFc&t=873
Officials said the pilot is being monitored and evaluated so the city can learn whether the access methods reach people without phones. The pilot will run for one year, and city agencies including the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Parks are collaborating with NYCEDC on site selection and operations. Source: https://youtu.be/TieKGgiyyFc&t=1017
In earlier coverage, the mayor’s office described the broader procurement and funding context: the pilot was part of a $4 million commitment announced in January, an RFP process aimed at 20–30 modular toilets was planned within the first 100 days, and modular units were presented as a lower-cost, redeployable alternative to traditional restroom construction. This earlier announcement noted twice-daily maintenance in franchise agreements for some modular toilets. (Earlier coverage: https://youtu.be/9-SOMfPWwkE?t=107) Source: https://youtu.be/9-SOMfPWwkE?t=107
What the city has said it will evaluate during the pilot includes whether tap-card distribution and neighborhood partners effectively reach people without phones, whether signage and local pickup points provide reliable access, and whether the combination of digital entry methods plus physical cards maintains cleanliness and safety. Source: https://youtu.be/TieKGgiyyFc&t=1305
Limitations in the city’s public statements: officials have described tap-card distribution and signage but did not provide a public list of the specific community partners that will hand out tap cards, nor a release schedule for when and where tap cards will be available at each location. The city said it will share location selections and monitor results as part of the pilot evaluation. Source: https://youtu.be/TieKGgiyyFc&t=1017
For readers seeking primary documents and video of the announcement and Q&A, see the city press conference and related remarks. Primary meeting source: https://youtu.be/TieKGgiyyFc (press conference and Q&A). Earlier announcement and RFP context (external to this meeting): https://youtu.be/9-SOMfPWwkE?t=107. Source: https://youtu.be/TieKGgiyyFc
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