The operator of a new Squamish-to-Vancouver commuter shuttle service admits business for the opening week has been "slow," but adds that he expects ridership to pick up as more people become aware of it.
Eduardo Torres, who began operating his Squamish-Vancouver Express Shuttle on Oct. 1, on Monday (Oct. 7) said he had "less than 10" customers during the first week of operation. In fact, he said several of those who did use the service were tourists.
"One of the persons I took, he was heading to the airport and he took [the Squamish-Vancouver shuttle] to Seymour and Cordova and got on the Sky Train to the airport," he said.
Torres, who secured the permit for the Squamish-Vancouver route about 10 years ago under the business name Heading North Recreation when he was living in the Lower Mainland, said the idea of operating such a service took off when he moved to Squamish a few months ago. He already had a 21-passenger bus and 15-passenger van, and simply had to contact B.C.'s Passenger Transportation Board and bring them up to date on his plans.
"I let them know what was my plan and asked my questions, and they said it was within the permit," he said.
Before the Oct. 1 launch, Torres had only advertised the service in a magazine ad and in flyers he put up around town. He said he's confident business will pick up as more commuters become aware of it.
He said he and his partner need to average 10 passengers a day for the service to break even.
"To make it a viable business it has to be 18 or more," Torres said. "We're going to do it up to the middle of December, and if I can handle an average of 10 passengers by that point, I think it will be viable."
The service operates on weekdays excluding statutory holidays. It departs at 7 a.m. from the Adventure Centre, dropping passengers off at the corner of Seymour and Cordova streets. The return trip departs at 5:30 p.m.
The cost is $15 for one way, or $17 for a same-day round trip. For more information, email [email protected]
