The R143 was the first full production "New Technology Train" (NTT) to be constructed for the B Division of the New York City Subway. A total of 212 cars were manufactured by Kawasaki. These cars were delivered for acceptance testing in late 2001 and all the cars were delivered and in service by March 2003. Like the R142 and R142A cars, the R143 cars have interior strip maps displaying the next stations, automated announcements, and AC traction. In 2009, the L train began automated operation using a communications based train control (CBTC) system. All the R143 cars are enabled for CBTC operation as a result.