Four female bus drivers were mugged at this MTA depot at Fresh Pond Road. A guard at the facility wanted this photo deleted. — Photo by Jonathan Mena

July was a dangerous month for female bus drivers at the MTA’s Fresh Pond bus depot in Ridgewood. The New York Post reports that four female drivers were robbed as they walked from the employee parking lot to the depot, which are some three or four blocks apart.

Diane Monges, 49, on the job for 21 years, said she was recently robbed around 4am as she was walking to work from the parking lot to the bus depot.

"As soon as I put my car key into my pocket, three people came from behind me, knocked me to the ground and started punching and kicking me," said Monges whose purse was stolen during the attack.

The depot, at Fresh Pond Road and 67th Avenue, has parking lots situated underneath the M line’s elevated tracks which are very dark at night. This creates a perfect spot for would-be muggers to hide and wait for their next victim. The Post reports that drivers at the Fresh Pond depot have been complaining for years to their MTA bosses that extra security is needed.

The same week Monges was mugged, another female driver was attacked as she was walking to the parking lot on her way home. Burnette Cofer, 48, said a "thug" came from behind and tried to snatch her satchel. The 20-year veteran held on to her bag and the attacker fled empty-handed.

Transport Worker Union Local 100, which represents MTA bus drivers, is worried about New York City Transit’s proposed plan to eliminate security agents from bus depots after the muggings at the Fresh Pond depot. "There should be a security guard," Bob Keith, a safety representative for TWU Local 100, told The Chief, a newspaper for municipal workers.

Monday night, only one MTA security guard was posted at the entrance of the bus depot. When asked about the muggings, the guard refused comment. The guard then asked BushwickBK to leave and delete any photos taken of the premises.