Orange Rail Action Group began sourcing the signatures in July in a bid to have the Bathurst Bullet start its morning trip to Sydney from Orange.

The petition needs 10,000 signatures to be debated in parliament.

Councillor Joanne McRae, who is Orange City Council’s delegate to the group, said the result so far was great, but the effort needed to continue.

READ MORE: 1000 signatures and counting

“It’s particularly important for the older population, but quite a few young people need to go to Sydney every so often,” she said.

Cr McRae said the service was essential for decentralisation and population growth.

At the moment, the Bullet spends the night in Lithgow before being returned to Bathurst to pick up passengers.

OUR SAY: Tracks are key to transport transformation

The rail group also wants upgrades to the Western Line and early commissioning of the replacement XPT fleet

The petition is at TJs Newsagency, Duntryleague, member for Orange Phil Donato’s office and the Central Western Daily’s office at 190 Lords Place.

You can now receive headlines and story links from the Central Western Daily delivered straight to your inbox at 6am six days a week, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up here