An article in the Phila Inqr described the closing of a classic diner. In the accompanying photograph of the building there is an outdoor traditional metal Verizon phone booth. Today, finding pay phones is hard enough, but finding a phone booth is extremely rare. Years ago the telephone companies converted from full booths to walk- up kiosks, both inside and out. Some old buildings still have the true classic wooden phone booths in their lobbies--complete with the little seat, table, light, and fan.
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Diners often had a battery of pay telephones, usually near the restrooms, to serve customers. To me, it seemed when the 'cocots' came out many diners were quick to switch to them.
I know some diners still have a bank of Verizon payphones in them. I wonder if such diners must make up a shortfall if the payphones don't generate enough revenue--I doubt today the payphones get much use, especially when there are several of them.
Many small luncheonettes had semi-public payphones as their only phone line. There was a payphone for the public, and an blanked-dial extension to the business to answer the phone. The payphone would have a lift-up plastic tab over the coin slot "listen if phone is in use". I wonder if such arrangements still exist, if so, at an affordable tariff. (Sometimes the phone company will continue to offer an old fashioned service but charge a very high rate for it making it uneconomical for most businesses or homes to retain the service.)
Would anyone accurately know what the monthly charge would be to have a payphone from Verizon that does not cover its costs?
Would anyone accurately know what Verizon or other major companies charge as a minimum for a business line to a small business (including all the "fees" and "taxes")?
Thanks.