A combination of events led to the demise of the Footscray local lines, the increase in the uptake of motor cars, rather short medium to lower density routes, ageing and flogged out infrastructure, the small footprint of the depot/substation too small to suit numerous bogie trams combined with its limited power supply, together with the phasing out of single truck (low capacity) trams. All these and more conspired against it.
The establishment of 82 route (opened May '54) was really a means of joining up the loose ends of the ordnance spur (main system) to the ammos/Gordon St spur (Footscray local), as some sort of possible strategic cold war self reliant/low oil military federal directive (given the industry in the area), because the real estate potential of Maidstone was never ever going to be that that dense to support it.
The eventual saving grace for the 82 was that it not only that it has outlived the original industry, but it now serves the ever expanding Highpoint and the urban renewal of ex government/industrial land.
To support Myrtone,
"To put it bluntly, B doubles and platform stops in Somerville Rd today would never work or fit."