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Tuesday November 8, 2022 — California General Election
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Special District

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit DistrictCandidate for Director, At-Large

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Alfred Twu

Planning Commissioner / Architech
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My Top 3 Priorities

  • Better connections to BART: coordinated schedules and free transfers
  • Transportation safety: Redesigning dangerous streets and crosswalks, reducing harassment on transit
  • Jobs and homes near transit: Working with cities to coordinate city planning and transportation planning

Experience

Experience

Profession:Architect/Artist
Artist / Designer, Self Employed (2006–current)
Architect, MWA Architects (2006–current)
Planning Commissioner, Berkeley Planning Commission — Appointed position (2021–current)
Commissioner, Berkeley Landmarks Preservation Commission — Appointed position (2021–current)
Delegate, California Democratic Party State Central Committee — Elected position (2019–current)
Commissioner, Berkeley Zero Waste Commission — Appointed position (2013–2020)
Communications Coordinator, Berkeley Student Cooperative (2010–2013)

Education

San Francisco State University — Masters in Business Administration, Sustainable Business (2010)
UC Berkeley — Bachelors, Architecture (2006)

Community Activities

Executive Board Member, California Democratic Party (2021–current)
Delegate, California Democratic Party (2019–current)
Secretary, California Democratic Renters Council (2019–current)
Zero Waste Committee Chair, Sierra Club (2017–current)
President, East Bay Young Democrats (2019–2019)

Biography

I wear many hats - part of the week I work as an architect, designing affordable housing, transit infrastructure, and homes and small businesses throughout the Bay Area. The other part I run my own design & art business, and have worked with many local organizations to create illustrations, games, and reports on housing, transportation, and environmental policy.

I currently serve on Berkeley's Planning and Landmarks commissions, and have previously served on the city's Zero Waste Commission. I have also been active in the Democratic party, representing the East Bay and Asian Pacific Islander communities, and previously led the East Bay Young Democrats.  I have many years of experience working with transit advocates and state and local elected officials on improving road design and transportation infrastructure to be safer and more efficient, as well as updating transportation and city planning to meet our 21st-century needs. 

I ride the bus. I don't own a car. Ever since moving to Berkeley in 2002 to attend UC Berkeley, I've been riding AC Transit and other mass transit, including both local and Transbay lines.   I have lived in Berkeley and Fremont, and used the bus in both.

Who supports this candidate?

Featured Endorsements

Organizations (25)

Elected Officials (59)

Individuals (8)

Political Beliefs

Political Philosophy

Politics is like a bus.  We all come from different places and are headed in different directions, but for the part of the journey that we're going ithe same way, we get there faster together. 

I take a collaborative approach, and have worked with elected and community leaders at both the local and state level, bringing together different sides to work on the issues where they have common ground.  I am also commited to progressive policy, including raising the minimum wage, the right to abortion, expanding the use of renewable energy, single payer healthcare, and more. I do not take any corporate money in my campaigns.

Position Papers

Coordinating Connections

Summary

Better connections to BART and other transit agencies

Coordinating Connections

Most riders like myself also use one of the Bay Area's other transit agencies, and walk or bike to and from bus stops.

Coordinated schedules and fares, as well as safer sidewalks and bike lanes, can bring faster and more affordable trips, getting more people on the bus and reducing traffic.

I have worked with activists throughout the Bay Area on these issues, and look forward to continuing the work as your next Board member.

The Bay Area has over 20 transit agencies.  I support the Seamless Bay Area plan for multi-agency passes, free transfers, and timed transfers.

Door to Door Accessibility & Convenience

Making it safe and easy to get to the bus from one's home or destination is key to getting more people to ride. I will work on getting more level boarding platforms, shelters and seating at bus stops, and safer sidewalks and crosswalks.

I also believe that while frequent service will be on the busiest routes, every neighborhood and public facility, such as our regional parks, should have at least some basic service.

 

Growing Our Communities & Businesses

Summary

The connection between city and transit planning.

Most of AC Transit's budget comes from property and sales taxes. When our businesses and communities succeed and grow, service can expand without additional taxes or fares.

I will work with cities to support existing businesses and neighborhoods, and bring new jobs and homes along our bus lines.

Over the next ten years, it is expected that the East Bay will have 100,000 new families living and working here. Planned well, this can support our transit services instead of increasing traffic.

Supporting Bus Riders & Workers

Summary

Restoring reliable service and increasing the number of clean air buses

Supporting Bus Riders & Workers

To keep and attract workers needed to run and restore service, pay needs to keep up with the rising cost of living. Our bus drivers and other District staff have gone the extra mile these past years and deserve hazard pay.

Many riders have also had a tough two years. To provide relief, encourage new riders to try out the bus, and speed up trips, I will work with cities, other governments, and organizations to find the budget for free fare programs.

 

 

Efficient & Environmentally Friendly Transportation

In addition to improving transit to reduce traffic and pollution, I will also work to speed up the rollout of clean and quiet electric buses.

Videos (1)

Candidate Experience
— September 15, 2022 Alfred Twu

Transit is at a crossroads. We need someone who will work with our communities, our state and local leaders, and transit riders to improve our bus system to be more reliable, safer, efficient, and meeting today's transportation needs. I'm Alfred Twu and I'm running for AC Transit Board at-large. I'm an architect that's worked on transit projects and affordable housing, a planning commissioner that has worked to coordinate transportation and housing policy, and a transit and environmental advocate in the East Bay. I'm proud to have the support of many Democratic clubs, transit directors, state legislators, Mayors, Councilmembers, and over two hundred community leaders. I do not take corporate money and have signed the No Fossil Fuel money pledge. Please join me in creating a better AC Transit. Thank you. www.alfredtwu.org Paid for by Alfred Twu for AC Transit Board 2022, FPPC # 1443548

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