WASHINGTON, DC - Metro's largest union urged its members to follow the letter of the law Tuesday, which translated to slower commutes for some bus riders.

"Now is the time for us to protect ourselves and our jobs! Perform all duties strictly by the [standard operating procedures]," the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 Web site said Tuesday. "Don't give Metro any reason to write us up, suspend us, or fire us anymore!"

The move comes in reaction to a spate of trouble for the agency's workers, especially Metrobus drivers. Several drivers have been fired in recent months for problems ranging from hitting a jogger to kidnapping a passenger, and driving without a license to punching an off-duty cop dressed as McGruff the Crime Dog. Others have been disciplined for reading and sending text messages while driving.

Then last week, a 47-year-old woman died after she was hit by a bus crossing a street in Northeast D.C. That driver remains on paid leave Tuesday while Metro investigates, agency officials said.

Roland Jeter, the union's first vice president, told The Examiner the union was "re-emphasizing" the existing policies Tuesday. Yet he said it should not translate to any delays for riders. "They shouldn't notice any change," he said.

But the transit agency acknowledged the bus system faced slower conditions during the evening commute on some lines, including some of the core routes along 16th Street, 14th Street, Georgia Avenue and Bladensburg Road, as drivers conducted every pretrip inspection and followed exact speed limits.