Bus operators, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and the Transport Workers Union recently joined forces in the hope of raising awareness about several recent attacks against transit workers.

Bus operators detailed incidents in which they were assaulted, including 66-year-old Matthew Ashby, who was attacked last week while driving the B15 bus.

"I'm frustrated, I'm stressed out, and I feel unsafe," said Ashby. Police say the bus was stopped on Linden Boulevard when a man hit Ashby in the face with a metal padlock. Ashby says he had to have stitches in his head, and that he's been out of work ever since, not knowing when he'll be able to return.

Alan Brown, another bus operator, says he was spat on by a rider earlier this month before being dragged off a bus. He says he broke his ankle.

"He grabbed my jacket and pulled me down off the bus and when I landed on the floor standing up, I twisted my ankle in a pothole," said Brown.

The MTA and the union say increased police presence is necessary and that they're working with the MTA Police Department to combat the issue.

According to the MTA Capital Plan, each of the more than 5,000 buses is expected to have security cameras by 2024.