Bus operators across the city gathered with union leaders in the Bronx on Thursday to demand that the mayor deploy police officers onto buses for protection.

Kingsbridge Chief Shop Steward Monique Rondon says driving a bus around New York City is not an easy job.

"I work the BX13 and I was spat on and it went in my mouth, it was all over my uniform, and for no reason, because the guy wanted to stand right next to me and it's not allowed," Rondon says.

Lupe Guallpa has a similar story. She says she's gotten help from the TWU Local 100 to get through a traumatic encounter she will never forget.

She says she was clearing out the bus one night when she tried to wake up a man sleeping. She says the man "grabbed my hair and threw me to the floor and started choking me."

Union members passed out flyers to people riding the bus in hopes that the mayor will hear their call.

"We're asking for police presence on the bus, and it hasn't happened yet,” says Richard Davis. “There's no one inside to take a step to help us out with the mentally ill and also violent criminals."