Mid-size transit agencies play a crucial role in providing accessible and affordable transportation options to communities worldwide, especially in areas with lower population densities and limited resources. In the United States, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is one such agency that operates around 350 buses on 42 routes, serving over 20 million riders annually. COTA faces a unique set of challenges, such as securing funding for capital projects and operations, optimizing routes using technology and data analysis, and attracting and retaining ridership. However, the agency has taken innovative measures to address these challenges, such as implementing a creative funding model to support transit services and investing in various capital projects, including bus rapid transit, on-demand mobility, and technology. These initiatives and pr ...