MORE than 350 angry commuters have called for better train services for Ballarat, as an online petition by The Courier gains momentum. Community members are speaking out following the revelation that 64-minute train services are to be scrapped in new V/Line timetables which begin next week. Late last night 354 readers had signed the petition, with the aim of reaching 1000 signatories during the campaign. The response from readers has continued as speculation mounts over a multi-million dollar investment in Ballarat’s rail services, expected to be included in today’s Victorian state budget. The Courier reported yesterday that almost $5 million has been allocated to increase train services at Wendouree and to conduct the restoration of rural train stations. Under the plan, Talbot Railway Station will benefit from a $2.5 million revamp with trains between Ballarat and Maryborough due to stop at Talbot once a day travelling each way.Daily commuter Sara McMillian-Bauer said the scrapping of “flagship” express services was an insult to Ballarat. “Although V/Line have downplayed the extra five minutes attached to the journey to Melbourne, this equates to over 40 hours extra commuting each year which is equivalent to a full working week,” she said. “V/Line charges Ballarat commuters premium ticket prices, in comparison to those paid by metropolitan passengers, but our service appears to be regressing.” Ms McMillian-Bauer sent a list of seven questions to Minister for Transport Terry Mulder, but has so far received no response. She asked why Ballarat commuters were not consulted over the decision to begin stopping Melbourne bound trains at Ballan, why the government appeared to promote car travel and why seats were hard to find on existing train services. Ms McMillian-Bauer asked why other options hadn’t been considered. “I understand and agree that Ballan needs adequate train services too, but Ballarat has been promised improvements for so long,” she said.