Commuters on the relatively lightly-used Sheppard subway line got a first-class ride Monday, as the new Toronto Rocket trains debuted on the north Toronto route, also known as Line 4.

Unlike the TTC's older trains, which have cars separated by doorways between them, The Rocket trains have uninterrupted gangways that run the entire length of the train. That feature makes it easier for passengers to move between cars and enables the trains to carry more people

They've been running for several years on Line 1 — The Yonge-University-Spadina line. But the TTC says riders on Line 2 — the Bloor-Danforth line — will have a long wait before they experience the new trains, even though Line 2 is much busier than Line 4.

TTC spokesperson Brad Ross said a new signalling system will have to be installed first on Line 2, and that's not expected to happen for "five to 10 years."

The new automated trains require just one person to both drive, and operate the doors. But Ross said "nobody is going to be losing a job. It's about modernization and about customer service."