GREATER Manchester’s tram system, which serves Bury, Radcliffe, Prestwich and Whitefield, is getting a new operator.

From this summer Metrolink will be run by Keolis Amey, a joint venture partnership of UK public transport operator, Keolis, and infrastructure asset management specialist, Amey.

Keolis Amey ill take over the reins of Metrolink when contracts with RATP Dev and MPT end in July.

The new contract, signed this week, will then start and run for up to 10 years.

Greater Manchester Mayor, Tony Lloyd said: “It is vital that our transport infrastructure connects and supports the new homes and jobs we need, helps the local economy to flourish and ensures residents can contribute to and benefit from our shared prosperity – and that is precisely what this new contract seeks to achieve.

“Greater Manchester’s transport leaders have judged Keolis Amey on their plans for Metrolink, which are focused on improving reliability, customer service, and creating more customer-facing roles, such as drivers and customer service representatives.

“They have also committed to creating hundreds of new jobs, including graduate roles, apprenticeships and traineeships, and to source almost half of their supplier contracts locally.

“It is an ambitious approach, with a big focus on the customer and the community.”

Key features of the contract include the creation of more than 300 jobs including drivers, apprenticeships and traineeships and a commitment to enhancing training for staff.

There will also be a major focus on improving reliability and customer service with increased staff presence on the network, particularly in the evening and at weekends and a commitment to source a minimum of 40 per cent of supplier contracts within 25 miles of Greater Manchester.