MONTREAL – The Montreal transit commission has taken delivery of the first of its new subway cars, with authorities unsure whether they will be more energy-efficient than the current models.

The commission says additional cars will continue to be delivered daily and, once assembled, the first new subway train will undergo eight months of tests.

That means the first train could be put into service by the beginning of next year.

The 468 cars are being built by a Bombardier-Alstom consortium at a cost of $1.2 billion.

Commission chairman Philippe Schnobb admits he doesn’t know if the new nine-car subway trains, which are 13 tons heavier, will consume more electricity. He says he’ll find out once the tests are completed.

The new trains can accommodate 1,068 passengers, compared with 990 passengers for the current models, which have been in service since 1966.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre says the subway cars are more comfortable, more spacious, brighter and less noisy, adding they will revitalize the city’s underground system.

All of the new cars are expected to be in service by the fall of 2018.