(The Associated Press circulated the following article on July 20.)
WASHINGTON — Passengers on Amtrak’s premium, high-speed Acela service who tried to plug in their laptops or recharge their cell phones in recent weeks have been unexpectedly disappointed.
Acela turned off the juice to the electric outlets on the trains, which run from Boston to Washington, two weeks ago after at least six incidents in which the outlets were short-circuited by unwitting passengers.
The electrical problem comes roughly one year since Amtrak resumed its Acela service, which was taken down for three months following the discovery of cracks in many of the trains’ brake discs.
Amtrak spokesman Cliff Black said he was unaware of any injuries but that the outlets would remain out of service indefinitely until the maker of its trains, Montreal-based Bombardier Inc., fixes the problem.
The power outlets other trains are still working properly, Black said, and Amtrak is making power strips available so passengers can recharge before they board.