South San Francisco Throne Restroom Pilot Overview
Why This Pilot Was Launched
South San Francisco identified a clear need for safe, accessible public restroom infrastructure — particularly in areas without permanent facilities. Traditional brick-and-mortar restrooms require significant capital investment, long construction timelines, and ongoing staffing resources.
The Throne pilot was launched to evaluate whether a smart, serviced restroom model could:
● Expand access quickly
● Maintain high cleanliness and safety standards
● Reduce staffing and operational burden
● Provide measurable usage data to inform long-term planning Starting September 30, 2025 Throne placed a single unit at Linden Park to test their smart restroom service as a way to expand access to public restrooms that are clean and feel safe.
Results Over ~5 Months
96%
Uptime
37%
Return Users
(community staple!)
4 out of 5 average
cleanliness rating
11 Phoneless access card
users
Community Feedback
Detailed feedback was solicited through a Community Survey posted on the exterior of the Throne. Thirty-nine (39) people completed the voluntary survey from October 2025-February 2026.
Ninety-one percent (95%) of respondents said Thrones are a Good or Great public restroom option and 77% said Thrones made them feel safer than traditional public restrooms.
Only 3
Instances of
vandalism
99.8%
Users leave within 15
minutes
● It's very nice
● None, the bathroom was quite clean thank you!
● It smells kind of bad in there
● This is cool, put some in sf
● grateful to have the facility on my walk.
● This is a great idea!
● It was very clean and relaxing definitely recommend go others
● No it's very clean and relaxing thank you for the service :) ● Very convenient thank you
● Thank You
● You saved my underwear
● Nope it was súper clean
● Cool experience
● Put this near parks and community centers
● Very nice restroom
● It's so cool I love it
● Gracias
● This is fantastic. We need more of these in every city. ● Great idea
● This is Brilliant!
● Otro baño
● It's good to know that SSF cares for their residents by offering a bathroom where there is none
● Beery good
Comments from users