A Maryland congressman urged Metro officials to avoid service cuts during a federal oversight hearing on the transit agency Wednesday — one day before Metro’s board is expected to decide on whether to cut 72 bus lines.

Metro officials had been called to testify before a House Transportation and Infrastructure oversight subcommittee, the first hearing in more than four years into the way the transit system operates. They were asked about stimulus money, hiring, internal oversight and $13.6 million in proposed cuts to bus service.