New vending machines will be installed at over two dozen New York City subway stations as a modern alternative to traditional newsstands that have dwindled over the years. CC Vending will open automated, cashless retail spaces that will sell drinks, snacks, and everyday essentials as part of a partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Coca-Cola. The initial rollout will bring 60 machines to 26 high-traffic stations, with the first now operating at the Second Avenue-East Houston, 23rd Street-Broadway, and 116th Street-Lexington Avenue stations.
CC Vending II, a joint venture between Transit Tech NYC and CC Vending, was created to modernize long-vacant retail spaces throughout the public transit system. Transit Tech leads the initiative’s design, engineering, construction and program management, while CC Vending oversees operations, service and logistics.
The partners developed the initiative in response to an MTA request for proposals issued in 2024 and were selected to carry out the program.
“This initiative marks the beginning of a new chapter for NYC’s subway system,” Michael Cascione, Sr., president of CC Vending, said. “Together with the MTA and Coca-Cola, we’re delivering a more convenient experience for millions of riders.”
“This launch is the result of years of planning, collaboration and innovation, and we’re proud to see our vision come to life,” he added. “As a NY company that started with a single vending machine more than 35 years ago, it’s especially rewarding to help shape the future of retail in the city’s transit system.”
Since they are housed within former retail spaces, the machines do not take up additional platform space and are installed flush with existing station walls. The rollout will span the entire island of Manhattan, stretching from Wall Street to 116th Street and Lexington Avenue.
Other Manhattan stations slated to receive the vending machines include 23rd Street, 42nd Street-Bryant Park, 49th Street, 5th Avenue, 8th Street-NYU, 86th Street, 96th Street, Borough Hall, Broadway-Lafayette Street, Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall, Canal Street, Christopher Street-Stonewall, Grand Street, Prince Street, and South Ferry.
Major transit hubs in Brooklyn and Queens, including Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center, DeKalb Avenue, Flushing-Main Street, Grand Street, Jamaica-179th Street, and Woodhaven Boulevard, will also receive vending machines.
According to ABC 7, the machines offer an assortment of snacks and beverages. Snacks cost around $3 each, while the most expensive beverage, a protein shake, costs $4.50.
While the RFP was issued in 2024, plans to revamp vacant newsstands have been circulating for years. In 2015, the MTA signed a 10-year contract to operate newsstands at Union Square, Columbus Circle and Brookfield Place selling snacks and “millennial-friendly goods” such as bike helmets and fresh-squeezed juice.
Vacant newsstands have been repurposed as art galleries, live performance venues, a bodega for dinosaurs, and even a radio station.
Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the MTA rolled out 12 PPE vending machines across 10 busy subway stations, stocked with reusable face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes. The machines were later removed from service.
“By turning vacant retail spaces into customer amenities, we are activating a space into one customers can benefit from,” MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara said. “We’re making stations more welcoming and more convenient, and we look forward to the installation of more vending machines and greater variety.”
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The post Vending machines to replace vacant newsstands at 26 NYC subway stations first appeared on 6sqft.
