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Meeting Tuesday in Virgina, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty (D), Va. Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) and Md. Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) pledged to work together on ways to strengthen safety on the region’s embattled Metrorail system.

The trio want to work collectively through a standing oversight committee that would have more executive authority, monthly reviews and reporting requirements, according to a joint statement. They’re also pursuing a longer-term strategy to create a safety commission themselves, or give safety oversight to the federal government.

The past year’s been a brutal one for WMATA, starting with the June 22 Red Line crash accident that left nine people dead and scores of others injured. Other incidents have killed four and injured three others. Metro’s leadership has also been in flux, as former General Manager John Catoe left in April. An interim GM is in place, but a search for a permanent replacement is ongoing.

Compounding the problems, Metro is also staring down severe projected budget deficits — a $16 million shortfall this fiscal year, and $189 million in 2011.

Congress has also taken notice. Tomorrow, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will be reviewing the situation and hearing testimony from WMATA’s Interim General Manager Richard Sarles and Chairman Peter Benjamin. The hearing is set to take place at 10 a.m. in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building. A webcast of the hearing will also be available here.