I absolutely respect bus drivers' right to not have to put themselves in danger collecting fares. But the best solution would be to just do what I've been advocating for the subway, as well:
Don't have a fare.
Make it free to ride. Just pay for the whole thing with taxes. (Congestion pricing would help with that, and fuck Gov. Hochul.)
https://gothamist.com/news/why-the-mtas-bus-drivers-dont-enforce-the-fare