MTA rolls out bright Coca-Cola vending kiosks to replace vacant subway newsstands

The MTA has begun installing large Coca-Cola vending machines in empty subway retail spots, a move that has sparked mixed reactions from commuters.

In an effort to fill long-standing vacancies in subway retail spaces, the MTA unveiled three expansive Coca-Cola vending kiosks last week, positioning them in former newsstand locations at the 2nd Avenue F train stop, the 23rd R/W station and the 116th Street 6 platform. The agency plans to equip 26 stations with similar units and expand to 23 additional stations by 2027, a strategy developed after attempts to attract traditional vendors in 2023 proved unsuccessful.

David Florio, the MTA’s Chief of Real Estate Transactions and Operations Officer, explained that machines require less staff than walk-in shops and help repurpose otherwise dark corners of the system. While some commuters, such as 18-year-old Emmanuelle Nyanid, view the machines as a practical fit for a city they describe as “dehumanizing,” others like 22-year-old bartender Nico Jung miss the personal contact once provided by newsstand operators.

Concerns were raised about possible theft or malfunction, yet visitors like 22-year-old Patricio Urruchua from Mexico City praised the technological upgrade as evidence of the city’s evolution. The MTA did not disclose the current vacancy rate but noted that overall tenancy remains lower than pre-pandemic levels.