Less than five years ago the first Metro train ran all the way out to South Morang.

Such is the frenetic pace of urban growth in Whittlesea – a population almost the size of Shepparton has moved in since then – the Andrews government is already contemplating putting in a tram line as well.

Whittlesea residents Lynn Ansell and Alahna Desiato at the intersection of Plenty Road and Bush Boulevard in Mill Park, where the wide median strip was built for a tram line that has not yet been built. Credit:Wayne Taylor WMT

Tram route 86, between Bundoora and Docklands, is one of just three routes that extends into outer-suburban zone two.

At 22.2 kilometres, it is not quite Melbourne's longest ... yet.