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 The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority based its decision on a flawed and unpublished study that overstated benefits and leaned on philosophical musings more than data.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…