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 aroundthe globe, said Mayor Jim Watson.

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

Preliminary cost estimatesto install public washrooms within the fare-paid zones of the existing Bayview and Hurdmanstations 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 toadd toiletsat five stations along the completed light rail system, and had already decided to put thematPlaced'Orlans, Blair,Tunney'sPasture,Baseline, andBayshore. But it agreed to add the washrooms atBayviewandHurdmanin 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 isgoing 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 chairsthe 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."

JoanKuyek, who is involved with theGottaGocampaign, 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 unlikelybusinesses willhelp pay for public toilets, since the city hasstruggled 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 isgoing to want to sponsor a toilet," he said.

• Listen here to comments from the GottaGo campaign.

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