Re: Driven By Customer 'Service' Parte Dos
3 car trains don't necessitate fare gates.
Off-board fare collection doesn't necessitate fare gates either.
All you need is a platform long enough for the trains it is expected to handle (why not do 4-car, it's just a little bit longer platform, nothing else). And a platform that enables level boarding with the train for accessibility. And an accessible path from the street to the platform. And a place to put fare validation/purchase machines.
Now, I don't think that they were able to create an accessible path from the street without using elevators. And that's where costs started to blow up. And yes, the headhouses are over built. What would be better is to develop some kind of commercial/residential space at each station location, and make the developer build the access to the platforms. You know, like they're trying to retrofit at Hynes Convention Center.
Sigh.