Acts as component of the GARP complex that is involved in retrograde transport from early and late endosomes to the trans-Golgi network (TGN). The GARP complex facilitates tethering as well as SNARE complex assembly at the Golgi. Component of the Golgi-associated retrograde protein (GARP) complex, also called VFT (VPS fifty-three) complex, composed of vps-51, vps-52, vps-53 and vps-54. Within the complex interacts with vps-52 and vps-53 (PubMed:21613545). Mutants are viable but display reduced brood size and enlarged lysosomes. Belongs to the VPS54 family.