WENDOUREE rail commuters will benefit from increased train services from next month, as the state government extends 85 trains each week from Ballarat.The services will commence from October 9 and will lead to more station staff and an extension of ticket office hours, Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder announced during a visit to Wendouree Station yesterday. Before last year’s Victorian election, the Liberal and National parties promised 137 extra services to Wendouree would commence by July 1.Mr Mulder said the new timetable, which will be published later this month, delivers as many new services as possible. He said the single track at Wendouree Station and a shortage of drivers meant some trains would still start and finish at Ballarat. “As more drivers come onboard and infrastructure improvements are considered, V/Line has the potential to extend even more trains through to Ballarat in the future.” Mr Mulder said the changes would make Wendouree Station a more attractive place for passengers to board, reducing pressure on Ballarat Station where parking could be difficult. “With more than a doubling of weekend trains for Wendouree passengers, going to cricket or special events in Melbourne will allow people to catch the train for the entire journey,” he said. Mr Mulder said it was common for Wendouree passengers to take taxis or rely on family members for the final stage of the journey. Ballarat West MP Sharon Knight welcomed the new services but said she remained concerned the plan fell short of the election commitment. “Last year Mr Mulder promised that by July this year every train that begins or ends its journey at Ballarat station would be extended to Wendouree.“Months after his own deadline Mr Mulder still has not kept that promise,” Ms Knight said. The changes would lead to the employment of two extra station staff to man the Wendouree Station ticket office from 5am until 8.30pm Monday to Friday, and until 9pm on Saturday and Sunday. All current train times will remain the same on the Ballarat line, except with the addition of the new Wendouree services.Passengers can view the new timetable on the V/Line website from later this month, with printed copies available in October.