WASHINGTON - An expanding probe is targeting Metro. Just a day after ABC 7 reported that independent monitors were barred from live tracks for inspections at least one senator wants a federal investigation.

It's been nearly five months since the Metro crash that killed nine people and Celeste Stroman still won't take the red line that far.

"I don't go to Fort Totten anymore. No," said Stroman.

Metro officials have prevented independent monitors from carrying out safety inspections of the rails and that led Maryland senator Barbara Mikulski to call for a federal investigation into potential safety lapses at Metro.

Stroman shared her thoughts on that news, saying, "They should have federal hearings, yeah. They should, they really should."

The senator is calling on Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood to investigate treatment of the Tri-State Oversight Committee, which oversees safety at Metro.
For six months, the committee had been pushing to inspect the live tracks.

During those same six months, two Metro workers were killed.

A Metro spokesperson tells ABC 7 News "We always welcome additional oversight. If the senator is interested in having hearings, we certainly welcome it."

Outside one of Metro's busiest stations, it seems *riders* would welcome it, too.

"It's very important, especially in our area, because we rely so heavily on the Metro," said Metro rider Hilda Hudson. "So we want to be sure that we are in fact safe."

Metro rider Tim Kelly added, "I think the more attention to safety they can give on Metro, the better."

The safety monitors had been pressing access to Metro rails for six months. A Metro spokesperson now says an agreement has been reached and the inspectors can approach live tracks under certain conditions. The chairman of the oversight committee, however, says Metro had not notified him, they'd lifted the ban.

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