Le tram

An excellent exclusive from the Manchester Evening News team - Stagecoach, who've been running Manchester's Metrolink tram service since 2007, are moving out, and the contract now goes to French operator RATP, who run the Paris Metro.

Stagecoach took over infrastructure and operations from Serco, and still have six years to run on their contract. It's anyone's guess as to what's ended the deal early; they seemed to be making a profit from the licence, there are major expansion plans to be completed (from the current 37km of track up to 97km in total by 2016) - and, as users of trams to MediaCityUK will know, an computerised points-switching system to get right.  They were appointed by Transport For Greater Manchester, representing the interests of 10 local authorities.