News for the traveler

Naturally, some travelers stranded by the air traffic controllers strike have turned to Amtrak. Many of those, however, are having trouble reaching Amtrak by telephone.

A company spokesman suggested that travelers call during nonbusiness hours (the line is manned 24 hours a day) or get information from a travel agent. There is plenty of room on the unreserved trains in the Northeast Corridor, so riders should just show up at the station. A travel agent can be helpful for those who wish to reserve space on long-distance trains (which, however, often run full at this time of year); agents also sells all tickets, reserved or unreserved.