Vote Shonda Goward for AC Transit Ward 6
Representing Hayward, Newark, and Fairview communities
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The life I have built started with access to school and work via AC Transit, and I know our bus system is a lifeline for many. Our communities rely on safe and reliable access to education and job opportunities. I am running for AC Transit Ward 6 Director to ensure frequent and equitable bus service for the next generation, and I humbly ask for your vote by November 5.
About Dr. Shonda Goward
I am a lifelong public transit rider who grew up in the Fairview community. I have also lived away from the Bay Area and depended on bus and rail service to get to school, to the grocery store, my job and to do basic daily tasks for everyday needs. My formal education includes a doctoral degree from The George Washington University in higher education administration, where I learned about institutional finance and law, and prepared to be a responsible fiscal steward of a multi-million dollar budget.
I strongly believe that education is the access point to a great future. I have dedicated my adult life to ensuring that our community has access to the education they deserve. As Chair of the Hayward Library Commission, and as a volunteer with the Friends of the Hayward Library, I work alongside our City’s leaders to support our beautiful library and ensure it is equipped with something for everyone who calls Hayward home. At work, I am a senior manager who leads a large team and budget to help ensure student success at a local public university.
As a bus rider and advocate, I know how to get things done for our community. As your AC Transit Director, I will build coalitions to provide reliable, safe, sustainable bus service for all. Let’s do this together!
Priorities
My priorities as a director for AC Transit are to make the bus safe, accessible, and sustainable.
Make It Safe
- The safety of bus drivers and riders must be AC Transit’s top priority. As the only woman in this race, I will fight to put safety first.
- Work closely with Hayward, Newark, and Alameda County to ensure bus stops serve community needs, including shelter and lighting - and that they are well-maintained.
- Partner with cities and the County to invest in safety for all road users.
Make It Accessible
- Ensure resources are allocated to Central and South Alameda County to provide equitable bus access for our communities.
- Partner across local and state agencies to create the infrastructure and transit-oriented planning needed for the bus to be reliable.
- Support the needs of our students - university, community college, and teens.
Make It Financially Sustainable
- Build a broad community coalition to address the fiscal cliff.
- Identify fair and sustainable funding sources that don’t burden residents.
We Support Shonda!
- Assemblymember Alex Lee
- Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez
- Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas
- Newark Mayor Michael Hannon
- AC Transit Board President Joel Young
- Alameda County Assessor Phong La
- Hayward City Councilmember Angela Andrews
- Hayward City Councilmember Dan Goldstein
- Hayward City Councilmember Julie Roche
- Newark City Councilmember Ana Apodaca
- Fremont City Councilmember Teresa Cox
- Hayward Unified School District Board Member Peter Bufete
- Hayward Area Recreation and Park District Board of Directors President Peter Rosen
- Alameda County Board of Education Trustee Aisha Knowles
- East Bay Municipal Utility District Director April Chan
- Sierra Club
- AFSCME Local 3916 (AC Transit)
- AFSCME Council 57 (AC Transit and BART)
- Hayward Area Democratic Club
- Black Woman Organized for Political Action Hayward/South Alameda
- Hayward Planning Commission Chair Briggitte Lowe
- Hayward Planning Commission Vice Chair Anika Patterson
- Hayward Planning Commission Secretary Karla Goodbody
- Hayward Planning Commissioner Robert Stevens
- Former Hayward Mayor Barbara Halliday
- Former Hayward City Councilmember Kevin Dowling
- Former Hayward City Councilmember Al Mendall
- Hayward Library Commission Vice Chair Dominique Dozier
- Hayward Library Commissioner Sofy Navarro
- Former Hayward Library Commissioner Priscilla Banks
- Former AC Transit Director Pat Piras
