DC lawmakers to consider new Metro oversight board

WASHINGTON (AP) — The D.C. Council is considering a bill to create a new, more robust oversight body for the Metro transit system.

Two council committees will hold a hearing Tuesday on the bill, which would establish a compact between the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia to create the oversight board.

After it’s approved in the District, the compact would also have to be approved by Maryland and Virginia. The jurisdictions hope to have the agreement in place by early 2017.

Stronger safety oversight for Metro is required by a federal transportation law that President Barack Obama signed in 2012. The previous oversight board was criticized as ineffective because it could not punish Metro for safety violations. The Federal Transit Administration is currently performing safety oversight for the troubled subway system.

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