- Publicity, New Media Production, Events
- 518-274-2723
- [email protected]
Dutch Apple Riverboat Commute to Work Day
We Shall Commute Again!
The May 13 Dutch Apple Riverboat Commute to Work day was a success. We transported about 25 commuters to and from work during the day. And about 40 joy riders joined us for the evening cruise.
Be sure to check out some of the videos, photographs and articles about the cruise to see all the fun you missed.
We have decided our maiden voyage was successful enough to do it at least one more time this summer. (The date is To Be Announced.) Right now we are seeking corporate sponsors for the next commuter cruise. If you are interested in sponsoring the next riverboat commute to work, or if you are interested in catching the next commuter cruise, email Duncan at [email protected] or call 518-274-2723.
About this Event
Duncan Crary Communications has partnered with Dutch Apple Cruises to host a special day where Capital Region residents can commute to and from work in Albany or Troy (in either direction) on board the Dutch Apple.
In honor of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial, this event will recreate the 19th and early 20th Century experience of commuting between these two cities by Hudson River passenger boat.
Additional support for this event comes from the Hudson River Valley Greenway.
Passengers will receive complimentary Times Union newspapers, coffee and bagels on the morning cruise. The after-work cruise will feature live music by the Clarinet Marmalade (a trio of members from the Skip Parsons Riverboat Jazz Band), complimentary finger foods and a cash bar.
Trolley service will be available in Albany to shuttle passengers to select downtown locations, courtesy of The Albany Aqua Ducks & Trolleys.
The cruise will take approximately 40 minutes one way. Please board early.
Help Spread the Word
Please download a flyer and hang it up in your office, business or community bulletin board:
Download Flyer PDF (7.5 MB) | Download Flyer Word Doc (4.6 MB)
Below you will find maps to show you how to drive, walk and take the bus to the Dutch Apple boarding locations in downtown Albany and Troy.
Driving Maps
Albany
Troy
The Dutch Apple will be docking directly next to Fresno's Restaurant (closed). Passengers will board using the Green Island Bridge Gate, directly north of Fresno's and directly south of the bridge.
Walking Maps
Here are two maps showing passengers how to walk to and from the boarding locations of the Dutch Apple Commuter Cruise.
Albany
Troy
CDTA Routes Downtown Albany
The following map shows the CDTA routes serving downtown Albany. For a complete list of downloadable maps and schedules of CDTA busses serving Albany and Troy, visit: www.CDTA.org.
Please also see our walking maps to show you how to walk to and from the Dutch Apple to and from the bus
Passengers on the Dutch Apple Hudson Riverboat Commute will receive a commemorative booklet featuring historical photographs, important information, and original essays by Saratoga author James Howard Kunstler, Troy novelist Jack Casey and steamboat historian Donald W. Eberle.
Also included in the booklet are display advertisements from the the local businesses and nonprofits that provided sponsorships for this event.
Click Here to view the passenger booklet as a PDF (10 MB).
In the News
Media coverage about the Dutch Apple Hudson River Commuter Cruise.
In addition to the links below, the following media outlets reported on our event: WRGB CBS 6, WNYT News Channel 13, WTEN News 10, PYX 106.
Foss Forward: Biking on the river: Daily Gazette - May 15, 2009 (Four paragraphs about commuter cruise)
Dutch Apple Hudson River Commute: Times Union SEEN - May 14, 2009
Commuters ride the waves to work: Capital News 9 (story & video) - May 13, 2009
Dutch Apple Commuter Day Troy Record (video & photos) - May 13, 2009
Sales lag for commute on Hudson River today: Times Union - May 13, 2009 (Duncan says: Clever article, crummy headline.)
Foss Forward: Commute to Work on the Hudson: Daily Gazette - May 7, 2009
WRPI 91.5 FM Troy: The Walter Goldberg Hours - May 4, 2009 (Duncan Crary will be on the air with host Daryn Ramsden from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.)
Cruising, for commuters: Times Union - May 3, 2009
88.3 The Saint: Kaleidoscope - May 1, 2009 (Duncan talked with Jimmy & Ann about the commuter cruise.)
810 WGY: Joe Gallagher - April 25, 2009 (Joe Gallagher talked with Duncan Crary about the commuter cruise.)
Cruising to Work: All Over Albany - April 24, 2009
My other car’s a boat?: The Business Review - April 23, 2009
The KunstlerCast: "Episode #61: Getting to Work" - April 23, 2009 (Duncan talks with author James Howard Kunstler about the commuter cruise.)
Although parking is available at the Dutch Apple Cruises location at Quay Street & Broadway in Albany, we highly recommend commuter passengers try to arrive at both boarding locations by walking, taxi, bus or carpooling.
Please also see our maps section for driving, walking and bus maps.
For those looking to carpool, Duncan Crary Communications has created an online discussion forum. You can also use the discussion forum to ask questions, share your thoughts on this event, and tell stories about your own river boat commuting experiences.
Wanna have the ultimate Hudson River commuting adventure?
Make a reservation with the Albany Rickshaw Company to take you to the Dutch Apple or pick you up once you get off the boat.
For Immediate Release
April 23, 2009
Contact: Duncan Crary 518-274-2723
RIVERBOAT COMMUTE TO WORK, ALBANY - TROY, MAY 13
Dutch Apple Commuter Cruise Re-creates Steamboat Travel in Capital Region
ALBANY, N.Y. – On May 13, riverboat commuter service between Albany and Troy will return to the Capital Region for one special day.
Duncan Crary Communications of Troy has partnered with Dutch Apple Cruises of Albany to host one day of Hudson River commuter service to and from work in Albany and Troy. Commuters may ride the Dutch Apple to Albany or Troy in either direction before and after work.
"Commuting by water is one of the best ways to get to work," said Duncan Crary, who made local and national headlines in 2007 for canoeing to work in Albany. "This event will demonstrate that the journey from point A to point B can and should be a rewarding experience -- and an adventure, too!"
The morning cruise will leave Albany at 6:45 a.m. and arrive in Troy at 7:25 a.m. The boat will leave Troy at 7:40 a.m. and arrive back in Albany at 8:30 a.m. Morning passengers will receive complimentary Times Union newspapers, coffee and bagels. Trolley shuttle service to select downtown locations will be provided to passengers by the City of Troy and the Albany Aqua Ducks.
The after-work cruise will depart Albany at 5:25 p.m. and arrive in Troy at 6:05 p.m. The boat will leave Troy at 6:30 p.m. and arrive back in Albany at 7:10 p.m. The after-work cruise will feature complimentary finger foods, a cash bar and live music by the Clarinet Marmalade (a trio of members from the Skip Parsons Riverboat Jazz Band).
Tickets cost $25 round-trip and $15 one-way. Pleasure passengers are welcome on the morning and after-work cruises, but must board in Albany for a round-trip.
Cruising time between cities will take about 40 minutes, with time for passengers to get off and board in Troy.
"This is going to be a nice, slow, beautiful ride to work," said Capt. Lou Renna, owner of the Dutch Apple. "People are going to get to work in a different way, without the hustle and bustle of speeding down 787. I think it will be very relaxing."
Additional support for this event includes a $500 mini grant from The Hudson River Valley Greenway.
"Communities throughout the valley are once again looking to use the river to solve modern problems -- to get people out of their cars and into more sustainable modes of transportation," said Mark Castiglione, acting executive director of the Hudson River Valley Greenway.
"If we have enough passengers, we could take 100 cars off the road," Renna said. "That would make this a 'green' commute.
Though the Dutch Apple is not powered by steam, this event will recreate the 19th and early 20th century experience of Hudson River steamboat travel. Steamboats provided regular passenger service to and from Albany starting with Robert Fulton's first steamboat voyage in 1807 and lasting until 1948. Some area residents, like Skip Parsons, remember riding the Albany steamboats in their youth.
"My mother's family lived in Hudson and we went there by steamboat. But only a couple of times," said Parsons. "I had not realized at the time how exciting it must have been. I guess we thought it would always be a part of life."
If this May 13 event proves successful and profitable, Renna said the Dutch Apple might offer more commuter days in the future.
Duncan Crary Communications has created a website with information about the cruise and a discussion forum where visitors can hookup with carpoolers and share their river commuting stories.
To purchase tickets, call the Dutch Apple at 518-463-0220.
For information, call Duncan Crary at 518-274-2723 or email [email protected].
Note: Complimentary media passes are available to those covering this event.
Ticket Prices
$25 Round-Trip | $15 One-way
Notes: Please specify if you have any special needs when purchasing tickets.- Round-trip commuters, please indicate the city in which you will board in the morning.
- One-way passengers, please indicate the city in which you will board and the time (morning or evening).
- Round-trip pleasure passengers may purchase tickets for the morning or evening cruise, but must board in Albany. Please specify that you are a pleasure passenger when purchasing tickets.
Purchase Tickets
Dutch Apple Cruises, INC.
139 Broadway
Albany, NY 12202
518-463-0220
www.dutchapplecruises.com
For specific questions about this cruise, contact:
Duncan Crary Communications
[email protected]
518-274-2723
Departure Times:
| Albany to Troy (morning) | Troy to Albany (morning) |
| 6:25 a.m. Begin Boarding | 7:30 a.m. Begin Boarding |
| 6:45 a.m. Depart Albany | 7:50 a.m. Depart Troy |
| 7:25 am. Arrive in Troy | 8:30 a.m. Arrive Albany |
| Troy to Albany (evening) | Albany to Troy (evening) |
| 6:10 p.m. Begin Boarding | 5:00 p.m. Begin Boarding |
| 6:30 p.m. Depart Troy | 5:25 p.m. Depart Albany |
| 7:10 p.m. Arrive Albany | 6:05 p.m. Arrive Troy |
Remember you can catch us at the boat in the morning either at the Dutch Apple in Albany (next to the U.S. Slater) or in Troy under the Green Island Bridge. Call the Dutch Apple office to reserve your spot on the after-work cruise or take your chances at boarding time. It's a nice day, so a lot of folks might have the same idea as you!
