SINGAPORE - The Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Friday (May 25) received the first of 91 four-car trains to be used for the future Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL).

The train-cars are the first in Singapore's MRT network to have five doors on each side to facilitate commuter boarding and alighting.

Train-cars used on other MRT lines have four doors on each side.

The 43km, 31-station TEL will open progressively from the end of 2019, connecting commuters living in the eastern region to the city centre, as well as those living in the Woodlands and Thomson areas.

It is expected to be fully operational in 2024.

The LTA said that the rest of the trains will be delivered progressively from now until 2022. The first train it has received will now undergo testing in preparation for passenger service, the authority added.

The trains are made in China by a consortium formed by Japanese firm Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Chinese company CSR Qingdao Sifang Co. The consortium won a $749 million contract in 2014 to supply the trains.

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said in a Facebook post on Friday: "Our very first MRT train arrived at Tanjong Pagar Container Terminal in May 1986. It was a historic moment. More than 30 years later, we welcomed the first of 91 trains for the TEL - our sixth MRT line!"

SMRT will operate the TEL, after it won a contract last year for the rights to run the system for nine years, with a bid of $1.7 billion.