MEET DEBORA ALLEN, BART DIRECTOR
Experienced. Bold. Independent.
In 2016, I promised to bring common-sense leadership to the BART Board of Directors. I promised to focus on improving the personal safety of BART riders and workers. I promised to bring financial transparency and oversight to BART’s $2.4 billion annual budget while remaining politically independent, not beholden to special interest groups. I've done that and more. The voters of central Contra Costa noticed my determination to bring change to BART and re-elected me overwhelmingly in 2020, despite active opposition from 6 sitting BART Board Directors who recruited, funded and/or coached my opponent. An estimated $150K was spent by public employee labor unions alone to unseat me. They lost, and Contra Costa won the battle for independent leadership and common-sense in 2020. Now we start again in 2024 as I launch my campaign for re-election to a 3rd term on the BART Board of Directors. I am prepared for another bruising battle and expect to fight off misinformation and downright lies again by far left progressive activists, who are fighting to retain their own political power rather than working toward an overall mission of great bay area public transit that is sustainable for future generations. I knew when I began my first term in office that the nation’s fifth largest transit agency faced difficult challenges. I stepped up to tackle them with determination and I still do that today. I also knew I would be outnumbered and to make change would be a tremendous climb uphill. It still is, but I continue to diligently work to keep the conversation focused on sound fiscal policy and common sense. The pandemic and the resulting economic devastation from the now permanent 60% loss of ridership, have only compounded these challenges. While I’ve managed to bring oversight and accountability to the agency during my first 8 years on the board from a minority position, much work remains to bring BART to a place of financial and operable stability, as we face perpetual annual structural deficits of over $350 million. Unfortunately, the urban directors who control the board majority continue to focus on misguided agendas that have slowed BART's recovery from the pandemic as one of the worst in the nation. With 25 years in executive-level management and financial positions, my focus is on BART’s financial health and the impacts that declining ridership and fading customer satisfaction have on the agency’s long-term future. Now more than ever, we need strong financial leadership on the Board of Directors. Thank you for allowing me to serve you for another four years. You can help with the re-election costs by Donating here:
Working for a Better, more Sustainable BART!
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ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Common Sense for BART
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- Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Board - Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) - West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee - CCTA Accessible Transportation Strategic Policy Advisory Committee - CCTA Innovate 680 Committee - Pleasant Hill BART Leasing Joint Powers Authority
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