SINGAPORE - The first new trains for the Circle Line and North East Line have reached Singapore.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Wednesday that the first of 24 new Circle Line trains arrived at Pasir Panjang port on June 29, while the first of 18 new North East Line trains was delivered on July 20.

The rest are on the way, to boost the fleet capacity by 60 per cent on the Circle Line and 70 per cent on the North East Line.

All new trains will undergo "extensive and rigorous testing" before they are gradually put into service from the middle of next year, said the LTA.

Crowded stretches on the Circle Line will get the new trains as soon as they are ready for service. On the North East Line, train trips will be added during the weekday morning rush hour to improve frequency for commuters heading south towards Dhoby Ghaut and Harbourfront.

A gamut of tests are run on all new trains, including visual inspections of the interior and exterior to check for any damage that may have occurred during transit.

Static tests will be conducted on a stationary train to ensure systems such as doors, air conditioning, lighting and ventilation are working properly.

There will then be speed running tests to check controls for driving, braking and stopping accuracy. Final tests on live tracks will be run before the new trains can be put into service.

An LTA spokesman said: "With the 42 additional new trains next year, commuters can look forward to less waiting and more train trips throughout the day, especially during the peak period."