The TTC says new crowd control measures at its Bloor and Yonge station will speed up trains and move more riders. (Canadian Press)

The Toronto Transit Commission has decided to make its temporary crowd control system at the busy Bloor and Yonge station permanent.

As of Monday, barriers will be in place and about a dozen extra TTC staff will be moving people farther down the southbound platform on the Yonge-University-Spadina line in the morning and afternoon rush hours. The aim is to move people away from a congested area at the north end of the platform.

"People are — when they come up from the Bloor-Danforth line — funneled towards the south end of the platform," said TTC spokesman Brad Ross. "That sort of spreads the people out on the platform, allows the trains to come in, allows the people to get off the trains and allows the people to get on the trains much more quickly."

The TTC tested the barrier system for about two weeks before deciding to make it permanent.

The changes will allow the TTC to reduce the amount of time it takes for a train to unload and load passengers.

"We're saving anywhere from about 10 to 15 seconds per train," said Ross. "It doesn't sound like a lot, but over time, it allows us to probably get about one or two more trains an hour through the station, and that means less crowding on the trains as you're coming downtown."

The commission estimates the new system could mean an extra 1,500 to 3,000 riders moving through the station during rush hours.