Yes. I am one of those voices. And my argument isn't that they do not cost money. My argument is that we can afford it, but chose to instead give the money to people and companies who already have enough. And I know literally no one who claims public restrooms are free to maintain.

Toilets and water should be basic infrastructure (and in some places they are). Business with toilets are a really unreliable way to offer toilets, since they will all come up with their own rules.

And it is ridiculous to pretend they can't be afforded. Ever been to Japan? Every train station has toilets since the 80s, literally every other store has freely usable public toilets. They all use the same signage. They are clean and free to use.

What is the point of society if not creating an environment within which we all can thrive? Yes I know, some want it to maximize the thriving only for certain (rich) people. I call these egoists.

Exactly. If a business can't afford to provide a bathroom, it can't afford to run a business.

It's like saying child labor should be legalised because your business would go bankrupt without underpaid child workers: it just means your business model isn't viable!

That's the thing. No one ever got filthy rich of basic infrastructure.

But that's all the more reason to get and keep the infrastructure working.