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New York City subway bathrooms are failing to meet basic standards of cleanliness and functionality, according to an audit released Tuesday by MTA Inspector General Daniel Cort.
The comprehensive review, completed in April 2025, examined 32 bathrooms across the subway system and found significant deficiencies in most locations. Of the 27 bathrooms that were open and accessible, 23 lacked at least one basic amenity such as toilet paper or soap, according to the report.
More concerning issues included missing toilet seats on over a quarter of toilets inspected and broken stall locks that rendered many facilities unsafe for use. The audit specifically noted that "defective locks are especially concerning because they can render the stall unsafe and essentially unusable."
"The findings highlight the difference between a bathroom that technically works and one that people can actually use," Cort stated in the report. He emphasized that restrooms without toilet seats, toilet paper, or functioning door locks fail to provide the comfort, hygiene, and safety subway riders deserve.
NYC Transit maintains 125 public bathrooms at 65 stations, representing approximately 11 percent of all public restrooms in New York City. While most bathrooms were found to be open with working plumbing, the audit revealed inconsistencies in how NYC Transit classifies the urgency of bathroom repairs and poor communication about bathroom locations for riders.
The Inspector General's office made nine recommendations to improve the situation, including ensuring every toilet has a seat and implementing better maintenance procedures. NYC Transit has accepted most of these recommendations, rejecting only one related to internal communication about how bathroom defects are categorized.
MTA spokesperson Joana Flores defended the agency's efforts, noting, "NYC Transit has reopened bathrooms in 60 stations serving all four subway boroughs since Covid-era closures, improving lighting, adding tiles, modern fixtures, and new paint. We're grateful to the inspector general for recognizing this progress, as we seek to continuously improve the customer experience."
For New Yorkers who rely on public transportation daily, the report confirms what many have experienced firsthand – while subway bathrooms exist, they often fall short of providing a dignified experience. The audit suggests that with proper implementation of the recommendations, these necessary facilities could become more usable for the millions of passengers who navigate the city's subway system.
A list of bathroom locations throughout the subway system is available on the MTA website for riders who need this information.
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