Coin-operated public toilets mulled for Ottawa transit stations

Public toilets planned for transit stations in Ottawa could be based on a pay-to-pee model common in countries around the globe, said Mayor Jim Watson.

A group called "GottaGo" has been urging the city to install more public toilets. The group considers the new stations — some of which are currently under construction as part of the city's light rail project — ideal locations.

Preliminary cost estimates to install public washrooms within the fare-paid zones of the existing Bayview and Hurdman stations are more than $2 million, according to a report tabled at the city's finance and economic development committee Tuesday. Maintenance costs are estimated at $13,000 per month.

The city is required under the Ontario Building Code to add toilets at five stations along the completed light rail system, and had already decided to put them at Place d'Orléans, Blair, Tunney's Pasture, Baseline, and Bayshore. But it agreed to add the washrooms at Bayview and Hurdman in response to calls for more locations.

The committee asked city staff to explore coin-operated public toilets as an option to help cover the costs.

I don't want to sound flippant, but I don't think you're going to find anyone who is going to want to sponsor a toilet.- Mayor Jim Watson

"This is something that's done around the world. We're not pioneers on this front and I think it's reasonable given the requirement that we're not, as a city, required to provide washroom facilities except at the terminus points of the system," said Watson, who chairs the committee.

"This is an opportunity to address the concerns that are legitimate by the community but at the same time allow the fees to help maintain, clean and deal with vandalism that undoubtedly comes with having public washrooms."

Joan Kuyek, who is involved with the GottaGo campaign, said the quoted cost for the toilets and their maintenance is exorbitant. 

"We need the toilets and if the only way they're going to put them in is to make people pay for them, I guess we'll have to swallow it and lobby like crazy to get the fee taken off," she said. 

Barrhaven Coun. Jan Harder said the city of Ottawa has enough budget pressures without tacking on the cost of public toilets. She added it's unlikely businesses will help pay for public toilets, since the city has struggled recently to find sponsors for public buildings and pools — a sentiment Watson echoed.

"I don't want to sound flippant, but I don't think you're going to find anyone who is going to want to sponsor a toilet," he said.

• Listen here to comments from the GottaGo campaign.

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