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, then 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.[1] Proposed extensions north of Bell Street have not been constructed.
Until November 1986, route 55 operated from West Coburg to St Kilda Beach via William Street, St Kilda Road and Fitzroy Street.[2][3] Route 56 offered a truncated service that ran from West Coburg to Domain Road. Following the opening of a terminating platform at Domain Interchange on 14 November 1986, through-routing to St Kilda Beach was discontinued.[4][5][6]
Between 1971 and July 2005 route 55 (and 56 before 1986) only operated on Mondays to Saturdays. On Sundays, the section from West Coburg to the city was covered by Route 68.[3][7] Route 55 began to run seven days a week from 1 August 2005, with its first Sunday services on 7 August 2005.
On 30 April 2017, as part of works associated with the closure of Domain Interchange and construction of Anzac railway station, route 55 ceased.[9] It was replaced by route 58 that traversed the same route as route 55, and then continued south from Domain Interchange to Toorak, partly replacing route 8.[10][11][12]
Route 68 was a Sunday-only version of the route 55 service from West Coburg, diverting at Haymarket roundabout to operate along Elizabeth Street to Flinders Street station, 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 First operated on 6 July 1971, the route was withdrawn on 31 July 2005 when route 55 was altered to operate seven days a week.[3][7]
