Sleeping on the Subway

Tony Fordham

As the MTA reports a spike in crime on the subway, particularly against those who dozed off in transit, the Bronx Journal interviewed several New Yorkers who sleep on the trains regularly about their experience.

The A and D

My name is Tony Fordham. I am 43 years old. I make a living doing a little bit of everything. I give out fliers. I hustle. I swipe cards on the train, whatever comes in mind to make a dollar.

I started sleeping on the trains in the year 1999. I had no place to go, no family. I was not scared. I sleep on the D train and the A train, the longest rides. I feel safe because there’s people and cops. The street is cold and people take advantage of people sleeping in the street. People throw garbage on you maybe light you up with fire.

I have been doing this since 1999, on and off sleeping on the trains. I don’t want to go to my family. They throw it in your face if they help. “You live here, you have do this. If it wasn’t for us, you wouldn’t be living here.” I don’t like that.

Freedom. I have been locked up for so long, I lost my freedom, so now that I am free I do whatever. I don’t have to pay rent. I do whatever I want. I travel all over the place. I can get out. I don’t have to worry about creeping in the door at 12:00 A.M. or “It’s late, be quiet.” I get off the train, I walk whatever I want to walk. I see the lights in New York. — By Sabrina Sandrelli

The 2 Train

Frank Matthews, 46, is a divorced New Yorker with four kids, three boys and one girl. Bronx Journal reporter Derick Odame spoke to Matthews about his experience sleeping on the 2 train.

Odame: I have been on this train with you from uptown Bronx to Flatbush Brooklyn. Now we’re riding it back uptown. Did you miss your stop or are you lost?

Matthews: I have nowhere to go, I live on the 2 train.

Odame: How long?

Matthews: I have lived on here for the past 2 years.

Odame: Is the 2 train the only train you sleep on?

Matthews: Yes

Odame: Are you on the train throughout the day?

Matthews: No, during the day I go outside to beg for food and money and at night I come back to the train to get some sleep.

Odame: Why did you choose the 2 train out of all the trains?

Matthews: I am originally from Queens, so in order to hide from people I know from the past, the 2 train is the best route for me.

Odame: What do you mean by that? Have you done anything to harm those people you’re hiding from?

Matthews: As a matter of fact, I’m not hiding from any specific people. I’m hiding from anybody who may know me from the past because I feel embarrassed with the way I look and my living conditions. I don’t want them to make fun of me or pity me.

Odame: Is it comfortable sleeping in the train?

Matthews: It depends on the time of the year. During summer time it is nice because after begging in the hot sun, I get to come and sleep in the cool free AC, which the train provides. But in the winter, it’s not comfortable when the trains come out from the tunnel and the doors are opened. It sends the cold air, in which sometimes wake me up.

Odame: How do people treat you when they see you sleeping on the train?

Matthews: Some people curse at me. Others see me and roll their eyes. Others don’t even stay in the same car as me because they think I stink.

Odame: Have you ever been attacked on the train?

Matthews: No, not yet and I hope not.

Odame: Do you have friends?

Matthews: Yes I do have friends.

Odame: Are they also homeless?

Matthews: I do have friends who are homeless and ones that are not homeless.

Odame: Where are those that are homeless sleep?

Matthews: They sometimes stay on the 5 train and we see each other since these two trains have almost the same route.

Odame: Why are you not living with you friends who have homes?

Matthews: Well when you’re homeless, dirty and have no money, nobody wants to bring you to his or her home, not even your family members.

Odame: How did you end up being homeless and living on this train?

Matthews: I was employed as a manger in a company that I don’t want to disclose the name. There was fraudulent activity and after investigation I was accused of stealing money that I knew nothing about. I spent five years in jail and when I came back, my ex-wife was in relationship with another man. While in jail, she spent all the money I saved up then divorced me when I was released from jail. I had no money, no family and no job to go to, so I had to turn to the streets.

I tried selling drugs to earn money but all that will lead to is going back to jail or getting killed. My family members wouldn’t accept me because I’m a convict and will bring a bad image to the family. I had no choice but to start begging for food and money during the daytime and sleeping on the train at night.

Odame: How much do you make daily from begging on the street?

Matthews: Sometimes I make nothing, other days I make about $20.00.

Odame: What do you use the money for if you don’t mind telling me?

Matthews: The main thing I spend money on is food and water. As you can see, I’m homeless so I don’t buy shoes and clothes. If I do, I won’t have anywhere to keep them. Then I save the remainder of the money.

Odame: Do you have a bank account for saving

Matthews: Have you seen a homeless man with a bank account? (He laughs.)

Odame: Where do you save the money?

Matthews: Ah ha ha, boy, I am not telling you where I save my money but trust me I do save.

Odame: Do you ever plan on getting a home and getting off the street?

Matthews: Yes, that is all I think about. The last time I saw my kids was the day I went to jail. I haven’t seen them since my release. My ex-wife decided to hide them from me and I can’t really do anything about it because I have nowhere to take them to if they should visit me. I can’t even buy them breakfast. What’s the point of them seeing me?

Odame: Have you tried to get help at any help from the government or non-profit agencies that help the homeless?

Matthews: There is a local church on the last stop of the 2 train uptown and I visit them sometimes. The senior pastor has a program where he helps homeless people get of the street. He introduced me to an ex-homeless man that he helped get of the street. He assured me the church will help me get a home and a job by the end of this year. All they ask of me is to come and listen to the word of God when they have services and my appearance shouldn’t bother me, they will accept me.