Labor fare hikes were wrong: Qld minister

Public transport fares went in the "wrong direction" when Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was transport minister, one of her cabinet colleagues has conceded.

The current transport minister, Stirling Hinchliffe, was asked on Monday about Labor's consecutive 15 per cent annual fare increases, which occurred when Ms Palaszczuk was minister in the Bligh government.

"We've seen LNP governments of the past, ALP governments in the past, take our transport system - in terms of fares - in the wrong direction," Mr Hinchliffe said on Monday.

"What I certainly believe is those governments in the past had gone in the wrong direction."

He said public transport fares were now heading in the "right direction" under Ms Palaszczuk's leadership as premier.

"I'm very pleased to be part of a Palaszczuk government that is making fares cheaper for everyone across the network and making our fares fairer," he said.

Mr Hinchliffe's comments were in relation to the government's announcement on Sunday it would cut public transport fares - an average journey would cost $1.54 less - in response to an independent review.

He talked up Ms Palaszczuk's experience after it was pointed out that she was one of Labor's transport ministers responsible for the 15 per cent fare hikes.

"And that's why it's very important that her leadership has been so important in making sure that we deliver on this project," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"When I became transport minister in December, the very first thing the premier said to me is that we have to be committed to delivering fairer fares.

"And, most significantly, to drive up patronage."

The Queensland Bus Industry Council have applauded the fare reductions, including free weekend travel for children under 15, but warned they could not come at the expense of cuts to services and infrastructure.

QBIC chief executive David Tape said higher demand meant more buses, drivers and routes will be needed.