Starting Saturday, the public can get a glimpse of the TTC's next generation of streetcars.

Modern streetcars that are low to the ground, fully accessible and more spacious will be rolled out in 2013 to replace the agency's aging fleet.

People can check out a prototype of the five-module streetcar of the future at the Hillcrest complex, at 1138 Bathurst St., Saturday to Tuesday.

Three modules will be on display from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Shuttle buses will run to the Hillcrest complex from St. Clair West and Bathurst subway stations from 9:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.

Reporters are getting a sneak peek Thursday afternoon.

Compared with existing streetcars, the TTC said the new streetcars are more comfortable, reliable and spacious enough to carry almost twice as many passengers to meet increasing ridership.

The vehicles have large windows, air conditioning, more seats, some wider seats, room for bicycles and can be boarded from all four doorways.

Bombardier was awarded a $1.2-billion contract for 204 new streetcars in June 2009. At the time, the TTC planned to introduce a prototype in 2011 and roll out the first batch of streetcars in 2012, with all 204 being delivered by 2018 to replace the commission's 30-year-old fleet.