Melbourne, get ready for tram route 58.

Two of the city's most overcrowded tram routes, number 8 between Moreland and Toorak and number 55 between West Coburg and Domain, will merge into route 58 in the middle of next year.

Photo: Justin McManus

The network change means more trams will run along Kings Way and William Street, and fewer along the congested Swanston Street/St Kilda Road corridor.

It is part of a longer term plan to direct more trams towards the under-serviced west end of the CBD and to Docklands.