
By Patrick Madden
The general manager of Metro is expected to testify on Capitol Hill today as the federal government looks to take greater control over subway and light rail systems across the country.
The Obama Administration is asking Congress to give the Federal Transit Administration authority to set standards and inspect local rail systems. Right now, there are only volunteer standards produced by industry groups.
Metro G.M. John Catoe will join Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood and others at the senate hearing to offer input on a proposed bill.
Nine people were killed and 70 injured in a metro accident in June.
An investigation into the crash revealed the group monitoring metro, the Tri-State Oversight Committee, lacked any real regulatory authority over the transit system.
Lee Calhoun, a former associate of the D.C. businessman at the center of a wide-ranging investigation into D.C. corruption, is said to have made campaign contributions in the names of other people.

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