Scan-to-Pay Fees for Mobile Toilets in Scenic Spots

There are multiple cases of scan-to-pay fees for mobile toilets in scenic spots, which have sparked strong public dissatisfaction. Most people believe that public toilets, as fundamental public services, should not become profit-making tools.

I. Cases of Fees in Multiple Locations In a park in Shenzhen, visitors are required to pay 2 yuan via scanning a code to use the public toilets, a fee that has surprised many tourists, considering that public toilets should be free infrastructure. A mobile toilet in Fujian charges 10 yuan per use and even imposes time limits, with such exorbitant prices and harsh conditions severely affecting the visitor experience. In a scenic spot in Guangxi, there are cases of unmarked fees, where tourists are charged without being informed, undoubtedly infringing on consumers' right to know. A toilet in a park in Huizhou, Guangdong, requires scanning a code for water, charging 2 yuan for 30 seconds, a fee that is too granular and hard to accept. In a marine park in Huludao, Liaoning, the sink in the restroom charges 0.3 yuan for 15 seconds of scanning, a practice that has also sparked controversy for charging separately for the sink.

II. Reasons for Public Dissatisfaction Public toilets are an important part of urban infrastructure, characterized by their fundamental and public-welfare nature. They provide basic physiological needs for the public and are a manifestation of social civilization and progress. Charging for public toilets, especially through methods like scanning a code that may seem convenient but could imply forced consumption, makes the public feel that this public service has been excessively commercialized. When visiting scenic spots, tourists expect convenient and comfortable services, but scan-to-pay fees for mobile toilets not only increase their financial burden but may also affect their mood due to fee-related issues. Moreover, some fees are unreasonable, such as excessively high standards and unmarked fees, further exacerbating public dissatisfaction.

III. Reasonable Suggestions Scenic spots and relevant management departments should re-examine the issue of fees for mobile toilets. For cases where fees are indeed necessary, reasonable and transparent fee standards should be established, and clear markings and explanations should be provided in advance to safeguard consumers' right to know. At the same time, the public-welfare nature of public toilets should be prioritized, and free public services should be provided as much as possible to meet the basic needs of the public.