Metro oversight panel gets new Web site

The Tri-State Oversight Commission (TOC), which is responsible for overseeing the safety of the Metro system, now has its own Web site, www.tristateoversight.org.

The creation of the Web site is part of a broader effort to strengthen the TOC by increasing its staff and autonomy. The agency has been severely criticized because of its lack of authority. The weakness of TOC, coupled with safety lapses at Metro, prompted the Obama administration to call for federal oversight of subways and light-rail systems nationwide.

The TOC website was previously maintained on the server of the District Department of Transportation.

Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R), Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and District Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) agreed during a meeting in April on a two-phase action plan to strengthen theTOC.

In the long term, and with congressional approval, the leaders said the committee would be replaced either with direct federal safety oversight of Metro by the Federal Transit Administration, or with a locally and federally funded Metro Safety Commission set up by the jurisdictions.

-- Ann Scott Tyson