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.

[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.

[8] On 30 April 2017, as part of works associated with the closure of Domain Interchange and construction of Anzac railway station, route 55 ceased.