MTA to Cannonball Riders: 'Leave Oversized Luggage at Home'

In response to concerns of overcrowding on the Cannonball train, the MTA has advised customers riding on the Friday afternoon Cannonball to leave oversized luggage at home and stow all items in overhead racks or under seats.

In addition, in order to “maintain safe conditions,” the LIRR will be designating some storage areas on the train for luggage and have warned that no luggage will be allowed in aisles or doorways, according to a press release from the MTA.

The Cannonball Express is a train that runs from May to September taking passengers directly from Penn Station to the Hamptons.

The train makes stops in Westhampton, Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton and Montauk.

There are a total of 10 Friday trains to Montauk, but customers who “appreciate its speed” have made it the most popular train to begin summer weekends on the East End, according to the MTA.

The problem came up after CBS2 News released a report on the heavy overcrowding on the train on Monday which led to a discussion of the issue during a meeting with the Federal Railroad Administration on Tuesday afternoon.

“We’re going to continue our productive conversations with them on this topic,” MTA spokesperson Aaron Donovan said in an e-mail on Wednesday. “For the rest of the summer Cannonball runs, we will take extra steps to ensure that aisles and emergency exits are kept clear of luggage, coolers and other objects that could impede access.”

According to the release, the LIRR cannot add more cars to the train or run additional expresses because of equipment and scheduling limitations, and must sometimes limit boarding at Penn Station before the Cannonball departs.

“We certainly hope that everyone who wants to board the Cannonball can do so,” LIRR President Patrick A. Nowakowski said in the press release. “If our customers leave oversized items at home, more of them will be able to enjoy a ride to the Hamptons in under two hours. We need everyone’s cooperation to make this work.”

In addition, extra LIRR crew members and MTA Police officers will be on hand in Penn Station to “ensure a smooth process” for the first-come, first-serve seating process, according to the MTA.

Other trains on Friday heading for the Hamptons and Montauk will leave Penn Station at 11:01 a.m., 1:43 p.m. 4:19 p.m., 5:09 p.m. 5:51 p.m., 7:11 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.