System Melbourne Depot Essendon Locale Melbourne, Australia | Operator Yarra Trams Vehicle Z class
B class Start West Coburg | |
 | ||
Melbourne tram route 55 is operated by Yarra Trams on the Melbourne tram network. It operates from West Coburg to Domain Interchange. The 12.5 kilometre route is operated by Z and B class trams from Essendon depot.
Contents
History
Proposals for a tram or railway route to West Coburg date to the late 19th century. Construction of the tramway began in 1923, initially only to Brunswick West, extended to Bell Street in 1927. The tramway was extended south to St Kilda Road during World War II to alleviate congestion during the war. Proposed extensions north of Bell Street were never constructed.
Until 14 November 1986, route 55 operated from West Coburg to St Kilda Beach via William Street. It was then amended to terminate at Domain Interchange following the opening of a terminating platform at the latter.
Between 1971 and July 2005 route 55 only operated on Mondays to Saturdays, on Sundays the section from West Coburg to the city was covered by route 68.
During the 2006 Commonwealth Games the route was merged with route 5 to Malvern to alleviate congestion along St Kilda Road.
In October 2016, it was announced that as part of works associated with the construction of Domain railway station, route 55 will be extended from Domain Interchange to Toorak in mid-2017 to partly replace route 8 and be renumbered route 58.
Description
The route runs along Melville Road from the Bell Street intersection, then Dawson Street, Grantham Street, through to Royal Park along a scenic track passing the Royal Park Golf Course and the Melbourne Zoo, coming out at Flemington Road where it intersects Abbotsford Street, then it travels along Peel Street, William Street, Flinders Lane, Market Street, Queens Bridge, Queensbridge Street, Kings Way and finally Park Street before terminating at the Domain Interchange.
This tram route is notable for its windiness and the traverse through Royal Park for some distance. The route also includes passes the State Netball & Hockey Centre and the Melbourne Zoo with an occasional peek at the elephant's shed.
Route 68
Route 68 was a Sunday-only version of route 55 service to West Coburg, which operated along Elizabeth Street from the city terminus, instead of along William Street from Domain Interchange. First operated on 6 July 1971, the route was withdrawn on 31 July 2005 when route 55 was altered to operate seven days a week.