New York City Adds Ten-Minute Timers To Public Bathrooms

New York City is adding 17 new public bathrooms.

They will be free and open from 7 a.m.

to 10 p.m.

Each bathroom has a 10-minute timer.

Warnings will use sounds and flashing lights before the time ends.

After a short delay, the door will open automatically.

City officials say the bathrooms are for quick visits, not for sitting and using a phone.

The bathrooms can be used without touching controls and can be moved to different places.

They include sinks, toilets, cooling and heating, and baby-changing stations.

Most people reportedly finish using them in about 3½ minutes.