Bosses say customers will see a marked improvement in the service

The firm has been awarded a 10-year licence to operate the Metrolink and will take over from Serco which has run the service since 2003.

The company said the trams would see "unprecedented levels of investment" over the coming months and years.

Andy Morris, who will be in charge of Metrolink, said customers would enjoy a "marked improvement" in the service.

"It's been a tremendous success in the past and it's going to be a tremendous success going forward," he said.

"We obviously want to attract as many people as we can.

"I think passengers will see a difference in the coming months and also in the next few years when they see unprecedented levels of investment in delivering a better system."