Metro's top official has been called to testify before a congressional committee about the safety and service of the Metro system.
The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform asked Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld to testify Wednesday afternoon.
The purpose of the hearing is to "examine [WMATA's] most significant challenges and the issues that led to a complete shutdown of the system, the committee said in a statement issued Friday afternoon.
Metrorail shut down March 16 for emergency inspections following an electrical fire in a tunnel near the McPherson Square station two days prior.
During the shutdown, crews inspected 600 power cables and identified 26 damaged cables that needed to be replaced, NBC Washington previously reported.
WMATA Board Chairman Jack Evans and officials from the Federal Transit Administration and National Transportation Safety Board also have been called to testify.
The hearing is set to take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
