WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Pamela A. Benoit stood on the station platform in Wilmington, Del., a little after 9 Monday morning after stepping off Amtrak's high-speed Acela Express train. She and her fellow passengers, traveling from Washington's Union Station to New York City's Penn Station, were told to get off when the train was shut down so an electrical problem could be fixed, the Washington Post reports.

Benoit, who rides the Acela to New York and back every week, said she still prefers the train to flying. "There are still a lot fewer headaches than when you fly," said Benoit, a Washington-based regional manager for a real estate developer.

Monday was supposed to be a big day for the Acela, when Amtrak increased the number of daily round trips between Washington and New York to 16 from 13 because of rising passenger demand. Growth since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks has thrust the Acela into one of the biggest marketing battles since its debut more than a year and a half ago.

Delta Air Lines has lost about 20 percent of its Washington-to-New York shuttle business to Amtrak since the attacks, officials of the airline said. US Airways said its shuttle between the two cities had 30 percent fewer passengers in the first quarter than in the first quarter of 2001.

Officials of both airlines and Amtrak said the Acela's market gains are the result of travelers wanting to avoid the long lines and hassles that come with stricter security at airports.

Accenture consultant Nicole Furst of Washington has been taking the Acela regularly since Sept. 11. "Instead of spending 2 1/2 hours getting to and through the airport just to get on a flight, I can use that time to work on the train," she said.

To recapture travelers like Furst, US Airways in January launched an advertising campaign in Washington, New York and Boston. Delta is also in the midst of an advertising blitz. Both airlines promise passengers that they can board a shuttle flight within 20 minutes, much less than the hour or more it took immediately after the attacks. US Airways gives triple frequent-flier points to shuttle passengers, and Delta is promising 20,000 points to any passenger who is unable to board a shuttle flight within 20 minutes. One passenger has received the bonus so far; the campaign ends May 31.

Meanwhile, Acela officials have met with major Washington, New York and Boston businesses to negotiate rates in exchange for repeat business. Amtrak has also targeted high-paying sports fans at MCI Center by naming its club and skybox seats after the Acela.

Today, Amtrak will roll out new Acela billboards in Washington, New York and Boston. US Airways said it was studying the new Acela and Delta ads before deciding whether to start a second ad campaign.

Life is different for train passengers. Sitting in an Acela car, many of the passengers clicked away on their laptops. Each seat has an electrical outlet for laptops. Cell-phone conversations -- about dinner plans, financial reports and unprofessional subordinates -- were heard throughout the car.

On the airline shuttles, passengers cannot use their cell phones after the plane doors are closed. The Delta shuttles do not have electrical outlets for laptops. Laptops can be used only for about 20 minutes because they must be off during takeoffs and landings. On shuttles flying into Washington's Reagan National Airport, passengers must remain in their seats after the cabin door closes for the entire flight, which takes about 40 minutes, because of a post-Sept. 11 federal rule that requires passengers on all commercial planes flying into the airport to be seated 30 minutes before landing.

Monday's Acela ride had been smooth until the electrical problem in Wilmington. The train, which left Washington at 7:24 a.m., arrived at Penn Station at 10:46 a.m. -- about 40 minutes late.

"Things happen. I understand that," said Peter Dowling of Washington. "It's still a lot easier, and you get to avoid the long lines at the airport." Amtrak spokeswoman Cecilia Cummings said the Acela was on schedule 86 percent of the time in the first quarter.

Later Monday, at La Guardia International Airport, passengers boarded Delta's 2:30 p.m. flight to National. A flight attendant warned passengers to use the lavatories or move around before the cabin door closed. Most passengers read newspapers or magazines, slept, or caught up on paperwork.

Cost and the definition of convenience can determine a passenger's preference. A round-trip Acela ticket costs about $118 less than an air-shuttle ticket. For those with appointments in Manhattan and who want to avoid taking cab ride from La Guardia, a train ride into Penn Station is more convenient. For those who want to get to New York and back as quickly as possible, flying is preferred. "Both have their pros and cons," said real estate developer Elizabeth Conner of Potomac. "It often depends on what's going on that particular day."