Payphones once dominated New York City street corners. Now, there are none left on Manhattan streets.
Officials with the city, LinkNYC and other partners removed the last payphone on Monday. A ceremony was held near Seventh Avenue and 49th Street near Times Square.
Last public payphone removed from Manhattan streets1
The removal of public street payphones began in 2015 after the city acknowledged that advances in technology made them virtually obsolete. New York City officials partnered with LinkNYC to phase in free Wi-Fi stands and charging stations as a replacement. LinkNYC kiosks also provide a social services directory, free phone calls within the U.S., neighborhood-specific advertising and transit and weather alerts.
You can still find some private payphones on public property in New York City as well as four full-length phone booths.
This summer, LinkNYC plans to expand in New York City with its rollout of Link5G and additional kiosks in the outer boroughs as well as in Manhattan above 96th Street and in communities that lack internet access.
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