If you plan to use a restroom in the New York City subway, you might want to think again. An audit recently revealed that most of the public bathrooms operated by the MTA are lacking essential features like toilet seats and soap, raising serious concerns about hygiene and comfort for transit users.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) manages 125 public restrooms across the subway system. However, an audit released on Tuesday highlighted significant shortcomings in many of these facilities. Inspectors from the MTA's office were assigned to examine various subway restrooms for problems including malfunctioning locks and unsanitary conditions. This assessment, conducted between December 2024 and April 2025, showed that while most of the 32 inspected bathrooms were relatively clean and operational, five were closed due to construction or other issues.
Alarmingly, nearly all the open restrooms were missing at least one basic necessity, such as toilet paper or soap. In addition, some facilities were marred by graffiti and litter, while several stalls had broken locks, denying users the privacy they deserve during such a personal moment.
Among the most concerning findings were metal toilet bowls without toilet seats, which not only violate plumbing codes but also pose a potential health risk, according to the MTA inspector general’s report.
At the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center station, commuters expressed their reluctance to use these problematic facilities. Jacqueline Alvarez, a home health aide, commented, "They should have staff to keep it clean, and people also need to do their part by not throwing things like paper on the floor when they use it."
Despite the grim state of affairs, some brave commuters ventured into the notoriously uninviting bathroom at Atlantic Terminal on Tuesday, cautiously peeking inside before stepping in. For those who dared enter the men's room, they encountered what can only be described as a mix of the MTA's finest offerings: hand soap in bulk, toilet paper, a toilet seat, and even a functioning hand dryer.
After being closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the network of subway bathrooms started reopening in January 2023. The MTA had previously shut down all facilities in response to health concerns, leaving riders without any options.
In light of the audit’s findings, MTA officials pledged to enhance communication with riders regarding restroom availability and to prioritize installing toilet seats in locations where they are currently absent. An MTA spokesperson remarked that the agency is committed to improving the conditions in subway bathrooms by updating tiles, fixtures, and applying fresh coats of paint.
"We appreciate the inspector general for acknowledging our efforts to enhance the customer experience," wrote MTA spokesperson Joana Flores in an email.
Noell Gordon was among those who braved the men's room at the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center station, first propping the door to survey the area as if preparing to face an unseen threat. "Honestly, it’s not in great shape inside," he admitted before stepping in. "But sometimes you just need to relieve yourself; that’s what really matters."
This situation raises critical questions about public facility maintenance and the standards we expect in such vital infrastructure. What do you think? Should more resources be allocated to improve subway bathrooms, or is this an issue that falls on the shoulders of the commuters themselves?
