The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) Cannonball express train made its seasonal return on May 26 departing from Penn Station at 4:07 p.m. providing the fastest, safest and greenest way to and from the Hamptons and Montauk on Fridays all summer long. LIRR Interim President and Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi greeted customers and LIRR employees at the relaunch of the service. The first train to depart Penn Station was a 12-car train with 1,575 passengers.

The Cannonball departs Penn Station at 4:07 p.m. and runs express to Westhampton, followed by Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, and Montauk.

The train will run every Friday through Labor Day Weekend. It will also run Monday, July 3, for those getting away for the July 4 holiday.

Please note that the Cannonball does not stop at Jamaica. Customers traveling from Grand Central can take the 4:25 p.m. Ronkonkoma train and transfer at Jamaica for the 4:48 p.m. train to Montauk. If you’re transferring from Metro-North, consider using the Combo Ticket.

Customers wishing to get an earlier start to their weekend can consider taking the Friday-only 1:15 p.m. train from Hunterspoint Avenue to Montauk, stopping at Jamaica at 1:33 p.m. Take the 1:08 p.m. train from Penn Station or the 1:02 p.m. train from Grand Central to connect with this train.

The LIRR also offers extra service on the Montauk Branch throughout the day on Friday and on weekends. For the return trip on Sunday, the MTA recommends leaving later in the evening to avoid large crowds.

-via Press Release