LA Metro Pilot: Bringing Smart Bathrooms to Transit Riders

We're excited to share the results of our recent pilot program with LA Metro, where we brought Throne's smart bathrooms to some of Los Angeles County's busiest transit hubs. Let's dive into the details!

The Challenge

When LA Metro asked their riders what they wanted most, guess what came out near the top of the list? You got it - easily accessible restrooms! But here's the kicker: out of 140 rail and bus transit centers spanning 115 miles, only three had public restrooms. When looking at alternatives they found one similar transit agency was spending up to $2 million a year to offer 4 public restrooms. Providing facilities for their bus operators at layover stops was also a challenge and most frequently solved by providing caged porta-potties that operators disliked. LA Metro wanted a safe, clean and cost-effective restroom solution for their riders and bus operators that could be deployed quickly.LA Metro partnered with Throne Labs to install smart, self-contained restrooms at four busy Metro transit hubs.

Results at a Glance

Assessment Period: 4 months (October 2023 - February 2024)

Locations: 4 Metro stations

• Westlake/MacArthur Park
• Willowbrook/Rosa Parks
• Norwalk
• Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink (access controlled for bus operators only)

Key Stats:

• Over 42,000 bathroom visits served
• 90% operational uptime
• 95% of bus operators reported being happier at work with Throne access

User Feedback

The response from Metro riders has been overwhelmingly positive. Many users praised the cleanliness, safety features, and modern design of the Throne restrooms. Metro collected user feedback and interviewed riders including Maria Mosquera who commented, "This restroom is well cleaned, and that's why I feel safe going in with my daughter." Read Metro’s article.We were thrilled to see that nearly half of all Throne users returned multiple times during the pilot, indicating that we're meeting a real need for clean, accessible bathrooms in the transit system.

Operator Satisfaction

The Throne at Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink station, reserved for bus operators, received particularly high marks. A whopping 95% of operators reported being “happier at work with access to a Throne restroom.” This feedback underscores the importance of providing quality facilities for the hardworking staff who keep our public transit systems running.

Safety and Security

One of the most exciting aspects of this pilot was how well Thrones performed in challenging environments. Take the Westlake/MacArthur Park Station, for instance. Known for its lively atmosphere with numerous street vendors and a significant unhoused population, this location posed a real test for Throne technology.Despite these challenges, Thrones stood strong. Anti-loitering technology and user accountability features proved highly effective:

• Only 5.6% of uses reached the 10-minute time limit
• An impressive 99.6% of uses ended within 15 minutes
• Just 0.7% of users had repeat offenses resulting in lost access

These numbers show that even in a bustling, diverse urban environment, Throne's smart features successfully deterred misuse and kept the facilities available for those who needed them. Read more about Throne’s Anti-loitering System.

What's Next?

The Throne pilot was viewed as a success within Metro. Stephen Tu, Metro Deputy Executive Officer, shared his thoughts stating that: "Introducing public restrooms at our transit hubs has been a major request from riders for years. This pilot with Throne has shown we can provide this valuable amenity through an innovative model that ensures cleanliness, safety, and quality for our riders."Based on the success of this pilot, LA Metro has expanded the Throne network to six additional stations:

• Universal Studios
• Sierra Madre Villa
• APU/Citrus College
• Expo/Crenshaw
• Reseda
• Willow
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Looking Ahead

We're incredibly proud of what we've achieved in partnership with LA Metro and excited about the future. This pilot has demonstrated that Throne's smart bathrooms can make a real difference in public transit systems, improving the experience for both riders and staff.As we expand to more stations, we'll continue to gather feedback and refine our service. It’s our goal to make commutes and travel easier for the nearly 200,000 riders that take Metro each weekday. riders and build towards the 2028 Olympics that will rely heavily on public transit and restroom infrastructure.