The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) introduced the first of its new clean diesel low floor Nova articulated buses into its fleet on Thursday.

The agency ordered 153 new vehicles, which will start entering service this December. The total cost of the purchase is $143.7 million.

The articulated bus will result in more reliable service, according to the TTC, with a design capacity of 77 passengers, an increase of 45% from the standard 40-foot bus. The new buses will also be more cost effective, as operating costs will be lower with fewer bus operators required.

The accessible articulated bus will be used on high-demand routes, and will carry more passengers with fewer vehicles. Articulated buses have three doors, instead of two, making it faster for customers to board inside subway stations, and faster for customers to exit the bus at all stops.