Kansas City’s recent experiments in progressive policymaking — from fare-free transit to subsidized grocery stores — offer a cautionary tale for cities nationwide.

When well-intentioned policies are launched without data, oversight or a clear theory of change, the result isn’t progress but dysfunction. Kansas City’s experience also shows how symbolism without substance can backfire, especially when federal aid masks poor local decision-making.

Take fare-free buses. In 2020, Kansas City became the first major U.S. city to eliminate bus fares — without analysis or transparency. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority based its decision on a flawed and unpublished study that overstated benefits and leaned on philosophical musings more than data. Since then, ridership has declined. Assaults on operators have also surged, driving up security costs.

Federal COVID relief funds masked the true cost, but they expire this year, leaving a $10 million budget hole. In........

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