Safety inspectors barred from DC subway

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Washington's Metro subway system won't allow independent safety investigators access to live tracks, documents show.

Documents obtained by the Washington Post indicate safety monitors of the Tri-State Oversight Committee have complained to Metro and others that they were unable to do their jobs this year because subway officials barred them from walking along subway tracks, even if escorted by Metro employees, the newspaper reported Monday.

E-mails show at one point monitors became so frustrated they discussed formally notifying U.S. transportation officials and declaring Metro to be out of compliance with safety requirements, which could have placed its federal funding in jeopardy, the newspaper said.

During the six-month-long dispute, two Metro employees were killed in separate accidents with subway trains.

Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein told the Post there had been a "misimpression" and that committee members could approach the tracks if accompanied by safety escorts.

Chairman Eric Madison told the newspaper the agency had inappropriately denied access to monitors, indicating he remained concerned about the "adequacy and effectiveness" of Metro's safety program and adding that committee members were working with Metro "to resolve this issue and hope to reach a solution soon."