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On Monday, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System began operating two new low-floor trolley cars, the first vehicles from a 57-unit order of new cars for the city’s $620 million trolley renewal project.

The low-floor cars, which were manufactured by Siemens in Sacramento, Calif., entered service on the Green Line. By 2014, the new cars will operate on the Blue Line in downtown San Diego and South Bay, and on the Orange Line in East County, agency officials said in a prepared statement.

“These new cars, and the overall renewal of the trolley system, are part of a larger vision for future of transportation in the region,” said Jim Janney, second vice chairman of the San Diego Association of Governments.

To make all trolley stations compatible with low-floor cars, the agency is rebuilding Blue and Orange Line stations to raise platforms and add amenities for riders, including new signage and shelters.

Trolley renewal construction at downtown stations is under way. In mid-October, work to replace overhead electrical wire, platforms and track is expected to start at other downtown and near downtown stations, agency officials said.