Private Squamish-Vancouver Commuter Service Begins

By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Oct 11, 2013

Eduardo Torres is doing what B.C. Transit, TransLink, and District of Squamish couldn’t.

Torres, a new resident of Squamish, has started a 21-seater commuter van service from downtown Squamish to downtown Vancouver. It made its inaugral run on Oct.1.

“I had the vehicles and the permit, so I thought why not put this to good use.” Eduardo Torres

Called the Squamish-Vancouver Express Shuttle, the non-stop express commuter will ply every day, except weekends and holidays.

It will take commuters to the Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver, at the intersection of Cordova and Seymour.

The bus leaves at 7 a.m. in the morning from adventure centre. On its way back, it leaves Vancouver at 5:30 p.m. from the Waterfront station.

The cost for a two-way ticket is $17, while a one-way run costs $15. The two-way ticket can be used in a week.

The bus service conflates his business interest with his commuting needs.

Torres recently bought a condo in Squamish after renting in North Vancouver for 10 years.

His company, Heading North Recreation, has been bringing skiing groups to Whistler in winter for private tours.

In summer, he turns his attention to Vancouver, renting his fleet of mini vans and passenger buses for private tours.

When Torres thought of buying a home, the family chose Squamish over White Rock and Langley.

“I knew this place before, and I really liked its location,” he said.

But as the Torres family planned the move to Squamish, they also debated over how he would commute to Vancouver for his work.

Then, he realised he had a permit to operate on the route.

All he had to do was advice the Transportation board of his intentions. He got the go-ahead from the ministry recently.

“I had the vehicles and the permit, so I thought why not put this to good use,” he said.

The recent cover story in the Squamish Reporter also made him aware for a need for this service, he said.

Commuters are his target market and he believes the cost ($17 for a return ticket) is reasonable.

It’s roughly what he believes what most people are spending on a commute, when considering the gas prices, car maintenance and depreciation.

“I know this had to be affordable,” he said.  

If there is more demand for the bus service, he said might ply another bus on his fleet.

It’s based on a first come first serve basis, but commuters can call Eduardo Torres at 604-802-2119 if they have any questions.

He can also be reached via email at eduardo.torres@headingnorth.com