News for the summer traveler

A new service offering instant reservations on Martha's Vineyard, the quaint island off the coast of Cape Cod, Mass., has been started by the Island Reservations Service. The service offers a direct telephone connection between people desiring accommodations on Martha's Vineyard and over 50 hotels, motels, inns, apartments, cottages, and guest homes with a total of around 900 available rooms. Rates range from $20 to $120 a night.

The advantage of the new service is instant reservations. While you are on the phone, an inventory system scans for availabilities, and within three minutes an accommodation can be arranged. There is no charge for the service. For more information, contact Island Reservations Service, PO Box 999, Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, Mass. 02557, or call (617) 693-5300.

PBA Airline has started seasonal shuttle service between New Bedford and Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, beginning its second season of operation. The airline will provide no-reservation flights every two hours to both islands during the spring and will increase service to hourly flights on June 23 for the summer season. New Bedford Airport, located just off I-195, has free parking.

PBA also provides flights to Hyannis, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard from New York (La Guardia Airport) and Boston; to Provincetown from Boston; and from Hyannis to the islands. For further information, contact Provincetown-Boston Airline Inc., 20 Willow Avenue, Hyannis, Mass. 02601.