It may have been one of the biggest blizzards in the city's history, but with so many subway and bus lines being knocked out, the MTA's inspector general is opening up an investigation into what happened. NY1's John Mancini filed the following report.

No one expects the subways won't get whacked in a big snowstorm. But as bad as this past blizzard was, something clearly went wrong.

"Four days after the storm, I think we should have had all of the service back. And if you were one of the stranded riders on that now-famous A train for seven and half, eight hours, then, you know, questions have to be asked," said NYC Transit Riders Council Chairman Andrew Albert.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's inspector general has launched a storm probe, seeking answers on the snow situation and more: Why were so many lines knocked out? And why did it so long for everything to come back?

Now, the MTA is conducting its own internal review of how it handled the storm. But the inspector general's probe turns things up a notch.

"It was set up to be an independent office, independently appointed of the MTA. And it has a track record of experience. It's done reports on handling of storms in the past. They have the expertise to make a serious investigation," said Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign.

Inspector General Barry Kluger's office wants to know why track-clearing equipment was not in position to keep trains running. Also, why were so many buses kept running for so long even as the snow fell? And why did a system that's dealt with so many past storms with more success stumble?

"Here you can get on the train in the middle of the storm, or at the end of one. That just feels great. But that didn't happen this time," Russianoff said.

"I don't think that the people felt that the MTA was there for them," said State Senator Bill Perkins.

Hundreds of buses were stranded on unplowed streets. Plowing is not the MTA's job. So there's enough blame to go around, with the city getting slammed, too.

"I think the MTA got the signal from the mayor, or maybe, for some reason, didn't realize how important a role they played in terms of being to help people navigate through this difficult period. But they were just as negligent in their own regard as the mayor was," Perkins said.

The MTA says it welcomes the new probe as it tries to figure out how to get through the next storm in better shape.