http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0108/488156.htmlCommuters stranded from Virginia to Massachusetts. A flood of extra cars on already congested highways. That nightmare could become a reality unless a dispute between Amtrak and nine unions is resolved by January 30th.
There's never been a strike in Amtrak's 36-year history. And it's likely that one will be averted this time, too, because Congress can intervene if there's no agreement.
But if the workers do walk out, the 71,000 people who take Amtrak every day won't be the only ones who suffer. Hundreds of thousands of people who ride commuter trains also would have their plans disrupted.
That's because many commuter rail services use Amtrak's infrastructure. In some cases - such as the Virginia Railway Express and MARC - Amtrak employees actually staff the commuter services.
Commuter lines are scrambling to come up with backup plans. But officials warn there's no way they'll be able to accommodate all the travelers who would be displaced.