Open for Business
Almost a year ago I made a post here on Metblogs about potential new public pay toilets in downtown Vancouver.
Often it’s hard to find a place to ‘go’ downtown that isn’t just for patrons only. The idea of Jetsons-esque self-cleaning commodes is somewhat amusing, certainly intriguing and I’m just interested to see how big of a ‘hit’ they will be, if at all. You can certainly tell that some people have a rough time finding a place to go (just by some of the sights and smells around town) [mbv]
photo: audihertz on Flickr
Recently we drove past what looked to be one of these high tech public washrooms being constructed at the corner of Main and Terminal. This is of course a little later than the anticipated November 2006 launch, but I suppose it’s better late than never, then again this is just the first I’ve seen. Vancouver only has ONE public restroom downtown (near Victory Square and aside from beaches in the summer) so it’s obviously something that is in great demand - I’m just wondering when this will all happen and… how much will it cost to use?
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Most downtown hotels have really nice bathrooms in their lobby areas. That’s the place to go, at least if you’re dressed well enough to sneak into the Fairmont.
As for these pay toilets, well, I think it’s great, but note that they’ll have to be pretty cheap, because for nearly half their market they’ll be competing with the nearest semi-private bushes.
I thought they were gonna be free cos they would essentially be a giant billboard that you could take a shit in or fix in. I wonder if they’ll have a bidet.
I used these in San Francisco years ago and it was great. I think it was 25 cents.
The Four Seasons Hotel also has great bathrooms and so does the Hyatt! It’s easy to casually walk into both without drawing any attention.
They’re free in Vancouver. It’s BC law - can’t charge someone to use a toilet.
Wow, that really puts the “private part” into “public-private partnership”!
Dan: I’m going to believe you on this one (though I’d dearly love to see a link to the “Access to Toilets Act” from you…) but I’m trying to imagine the rationale for it.
Urination as a human right?
Hey just FYI there’s another public toilet at David Lam park (a real one, not a cubicle). Just thought I’d let you know.. its a decent one too.
May not anymore since the secret is out!
We need more public urinals, like in Amsterdam. They would be cleaned every time in rains - which in Vancouver would be pretty often.