The guard manually opening the gate is overkill. A rule of thumb is that extravagant attempts to crack down on fare evasion will cost more than any money recouped from potential fare evaders.
You've missed the whole point of having automatic ticket barriers, fire whoever suggested manning them like this - the turnstiles should have ticket scanners and the access gate should have a remote link if you're that picky.
I don't live in St. Louis, but having ridden 60+ different transit systems in dozens of countries... this seems to be the dumbest attempt at securing platforms ever... You installed full-height barriers and fencing at massive cost; yet still have to pay some unfortunate person have to stand there in all weather conditions to operate the gate?
