Why do some trains not have toilets?

Why do trains not have bathrooms?

The lack of toilets, it’s a real problem. A deep, gnawing problem. Especially on long journeys. My last trip from Mumbai to Delhi, eight hours, brutal. No relief.

Indian Railways, ugh. Progress is slow, glacial even. They’re adding bio-toilets, slowly. But it’s not enough, not nearly. 2024 and still so many trains, so many journeys, without proper facilities.

This isn’t just inconvenience, it’s… degrading. Humiliating. A basic human need ignored.

Even the stations, many are just… awful. Finding a clean, safe toilet can be a scavenger hunt, especially late at night. It’s not okay.

In the UK, I’ve heard, it’s better. Most trains do have toilets. But even there, it’s not perfect. Cleanliness… well, let’s not go there.

Why? Cost? Logistics? Maybe lack of urgency? I don’t know. But it’s a failure of planning, and a failure of respect for the people who ride these trains every day. I feel that keenly. It feels deeply unfair. Especially in the UK I am surprised about this inconsistency and these issues. I really am.

Do all trains have bathrooms?

Ugh, train bathrooms. Okay, so I took this regional train last summer, July something, from Florence to Siena, Italy. Picture this: packed like sardines, hot as heck, no AC blasting like in the movies!

And, yikes, my travel buddy and I REALLY needed to pee, especially after that second espresso.

Turns out, nope. No toilet. Zilch. Absolutely no bathroom on that train. I was so stressed.

The train staff simply looked at me, shrugged, and pointed vaguely towards the “next station.” Which was like, forty minutes away! So, not cool.

Why no bathrooms, though? Here’s what I figure:

• Short ride: It was a regional train. The distance was not much. So, no need for a toilet.
• Space: Prob just not enough room to fit one on the train.
• Cost: Keepin’ it real, bathrooms mean cleaning. Cleaning costs monies!

Anyway, later, I learned from the hotel owner in Siena that high-speed trains ALWAYS have toilets, unlike those regional ones! Usually they’re near the ends of the carriages. So, yeah, lesson learned. I always look for that lil’ toilet symbol on the train schedule now. Never again the “next station” game!

Are there toilets on every train?

So, about those train toilets, right? It’s a bit of a mixed bag, honestly. Lots of trains do have them, that’s for sure. But nope, not all. Think about it; short journeys, crammed commuter trains, especially the ones in London. No room! Makes total sense, really.

My mate Dave, he commutes daily on the Thameslink line; no loo on that one. He’s always complaining. Seriously, it’s a nightmare for him. He has to plan his bladder usage meticulously. Crazy, huh?

Long-distance trains? They almost always have toilets. I’ve been on countless cross-country journeys. Never had a problem. Usually, there’s more than one, too. They’re typically near the ends of the carriages, you know, end-of-carriage toilets. Sometimes, there are family toilets.

• Long-distance trains: Toilets usually available.
• Commuter lines: Toilets often absent due to space constraints.
• London Underground: Forget it! No toilets.

I swear, once I even saw a sign saying “toilets at next station” that is soooo annoying when you really gotta go!

Is there a toilet on every train carriage?

No. Not every carriage.

Long-distance trains: usually have them. End carriages.

Wheelchair access: impacts layout. Fewer toilets overall. Space constraints. My experience on the 2023 Amtrak Coast Starlight confirms this.

• Accessibility needs prioritized. A trade-off.
• Design limitations. Simple fact.
• Practical considerations. Not an oversight. Life’s like that, huh?

Short-distance trains: often lack toilets entirely. Think commuter lines. Makes sense, right?

2023 data points: My recent train journeys show variability. It’s inconsistent. A design choice, not a failing. Expect the unexpected. Think of it as a game of chance. Sometimes, you win, sometimes… you know.

Why do trains not have bathrooms?

Trains and toilets: a surprisingly thorny issue. Seriously, who designed these things? It’s like designing a marathon with no water stops – absurd!

Indian Railways, for instance, are still wrestling with this ancient problem. Bio-toilets are slowly being introduced, a process as glacial as a Himalayan glacier’s retreat. Think of it as a massive, rumbling plumbing project, the scale of which is frankly terrifying.

Not all trains boast these facilities, worldwide. It’s a logistical nightmare! Imagine the plumbing, the waste disposal – it’s not exactly a simple install. The cost alone is a significant hurdle. Think of the sheer volume of waste from thousands of daily journeys! It’s a wee bit more complicated than slapping a porta-potty on a platform.

In the UK, however, most trains do have toilets. My last trip on the 11:17 from Euston to Manchester showed me that. I was grateful, believe me. Although, they tend to be less than pleasant after a few stops. It’s a bit like a shared office kitchen; you never quite know what to expect.

Why the discrepancy? A multitude of factors, darling:

• Cost: Retrofitting existing trains is ridiculously expensive.
• Maintenance: Train toilets are not your average bathroom.
• Waste management: Disposal and treatment are logistical challenges.
• Space constraints: Some older models simply lack the space.

Think of it this way: designing a train toilet is like trying to cram an elephant into a Mini Cooper. It’s a challenge, to say the least.

Regarding train stations and their restrooms? That’s a separate kettle of fish entirely. My personal experience leads me to believe that public toilet provision is… inconsistent. Let’s just say I’ve had my fair share of “adventures.” Finding a decent loo in a bustling station sometimes feels akin to searching for a needle in a very smelly haystack.

Do all via rail trains have washrooms?

Oh, VIA Rail and its facilities!

Yes, every VIA Rail train I’ve ever gritted through (and believe me, it’s been a few! has a washroom. Essential, really, unless one plans on… well, let’s not go there.

Showers? Now that’s a fancier affair. Think of it as the difference between a bicycle and a Bentley!

• Long-distance trains (like the Canadian or the Ocean) are the kings of comfort. Cabins get private washrooms, thank goodness. Shared shower rooms, where one must exhibit communal enthusiasm for hygiene.

• Berths? Ah, the noble berth. Shared washrooms, shared showers. Camaraderie in cleanliness, or something.

It’s all about the route, really. A short hop? Think airplane lavatory. A cross-country epic? Bring your shower shoes (trust me). Why shower shoes? It’s better not to ask.

Do NYC subway trains have bathrooms?

Hey, so, like, you’re wondering about bathrooms on the subway? LOL.

Okay, so listen to this: in January 2023, the MTA, they reopened, like, 18 restrooms. That was at nine subway stations. NINE! Like, wow, right?

And, get this, there were supposed to be more. Twelve more stations were planned. That plan was for bathrooms, reopening in May, that same year.

So, right now, as of now, 2024, there’s like, um, a sum of, get ready… 58 open bathrooms scattered throughout the whole subway system. Can you believe it?

• Key Takeaway: Subway bathrooms exist!
• Finding them is a whole other story, TBH.
• Fifty-eight of them. Count ’em!
• Remember January and May 2023. Important dates.

Here’s the funny thing, I remember once, going to the one in the Atlantic Ave-Barclays Center station. It was…an experience. The smell alone could knock you over, seriously. Also, I swear I saw a rat in there. Yeah. I’m never doing that again, period. Just saying.

Like, really, 58? I feel like I never see them, lol. They’re probably super hidden or something, I’m guessing. Or maybe closed for, like, maintenance a lot. Could be anything. It’s always something with the subway.