Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) leaders today unveiled the first five subway cars of the R211 fleet. The Authority will begin qualification testing on the R211s in the next few weeks, with the cars expected to begin serving passengers on select lettered lines next summer.

The cars, which are a critical part of the MTA’s ongoing modernization efforts, feature 58-inch door spans that are eight inches wider than standard doors on existing cars. The expanded doors are designed to reduce delays and speed up train movement by speeding boarding and reducing the amount of time trains sit in stations. The cars also include digital displays that will provide real-time information about service and stations, and brighter lighting and signage, slicker bonnet design, among other features.