# New York City Bathroom Tap Card Pilot

> New York City installs 17 free public bathrooms with text, QR, app or card access.
- Title: New York City Bathroom Tap Card Pilot · Pymnts | Shortify
- Summary: New York City installs 17 free public bathrooms with text, QR, app or card access. New York City opens 17 modular bathrooms using text, QR, app or card to…
- Keywords: new york city, public bathroom, tap card, throne labs, qr code, free bathroom, bathroom access, business, finance, York, City, Bathroom
- Source: Pymnts — https://pymnts.com/pymnts-features/the-weekender/2026/new-york-city-gives-the-public-bathroom-a-tap-card
- Author: PYMNTS
- Published: 2026-09-26T08:00:48+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: new york city, public bathroom, tap card, throne labs, qr code, free bathroom, bathroom access, business, finance
## New York City Bathroom Pilot
New York City installs 17 modular bathrooms across five boroughs for public use.
## Free Bathroom Access Options
Visitors unlock doors via text message, QR code, app or card without purchasing coffee.
## City's Bathroom Challenge
City has 1,000 public bathrooms for 8 million residents plus visitors but finding them is difficult.
## Throne Labs Operation
Throne Labs operates and cleans bathrooms with $4 million for a one-year pilot program.
## Digital Entry Features
Texting 'Throne' and unit number unlocks doors; QR scans start prewritten text.
## Bathroom Timer System
Bathrooms alert at five minutes halfway, eight minutes time running out, ten minutes door opens.
## Key takeaway

New York City opens 17 modular bathrooms using text, QR, app or card to unlock without buying coffee.