PASSENGER trains will return to Creswick mid next year, the State Government has announced.Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said early design works had started for a new platform-style stop opposite the existing station.She said it was part of the project to return passenger services to Maryborough.It is understood the existing station, which operated in Creswick from 1874, ceased operations in the 1990s, due to a lack of patronage.Construction on the Creswick platform is expected to start later this year, to be built on the Creswick town-side of the railway line.It will provide all-day parking for commuters to Ballarat or Maryborough, or for people taking the train to Melbourne.Ballarat East MLA Geoff Howard said it was "great news" for residents, giving them rail service opportunities.Hepburn Shire Creswick ward councillor Don Henderson said the new service would be great, with public transport from country areas becoming more important.He said Creswick had been "crying out" for the return of passenger train services."It's good for the people who don't drive, such as the older folk, who can go to the train station ... and go not only to Ballarat but they can get into Wendouree," Cr Henderson said."They can also go onto Melbourne for specialists, and utilise that service without having to worry about driving."Several residents yesterday told The Courier it would benefit people in the town.While the bus goes to Ballarat, they said it would give people more travelling options.Resident Johanna Van Oostveen said it would be "terrific to get the train going again"."The trains were so well used and it is a damn shame they stopped," she said."They would be more modern than what they used to be here, so I think you will get more patrons using them."Mandy Denmeade, owner of the former train gate-keeper's cottage next to the Creswick Railway Station complex, had no complaints."I think it's great, you can't always get a bus, although one stops directly opposite here," she said."I work during the day (when people would board the train), so it would be no problem at all."