The end is coming for New York's public pay phones. Workers are removing them all from the city's streets. Pay phones used to be on every street corner in the city. Workers have started the removal work by taking away 30 phones from one area of the city. In the coming months, the other phones will go. A New York City spokesman told the CNN news agency that: "The antiquated and outdated pay phone booths take up much-needed sidewalk space. Removing these booths is a win for pedestrians who navigate these crowded blocks."
Most New Yorkers may not notice the phones are going. Younger people may have to read the instructions to use a pay phone. They may not know pay phones need coins. Public phones are no longer needed. Over 95 per cent of Americans have a mobile phone. New Yorkers no longer want the pay phones. An official said he received many complaints from local people about the old pay phones. People say they are dangerous and take up much needed sidewalk space. This space could better help people with disabilities and families with small children.