Mayors are wielding free transit to draw people back downtown. It’s not that easy.

The push for free buses and trains has long been heralded in progressive circles as a way to boost access to transportation, mitigate carbon emissions and bridge racial disparities. Now, it’s increasingly popular as

and Covid-weary mayors and governors grow desperate to entice people and businesses back to urban centers.

“Cities all across the country have to rethink what we’re offering to our residents,”…