Public transport fares just increased by 1.5 per cent

From Monday, changes to south-east Queensland fares will be based on the Brisbane Consumer Price Index, with a 1.5 per cent increase meaning most passengers will pay between 5??? and 12??? extra per trip.

A one-zone adult Go Card journey increased by 5??? to $3.25, a four-zone journey increased by 12??? to $7.97, while the price rose by 29??? for people travelling eight zones.

Concession peak go card fares will increase between 3??? and 15???.

LNP leader Deb Frecklington was not impressed.

"Trains aren't turning up on time, we've got less train services and yet the Queensland government decided to put fares up," she said.

"I mean, enough's enough, how about you make the trains turn up on time and then you can start looking into that."

It also drew ire from commuters on social media, including Jess Borninkhof who wrote on Facebook, "this is bull".

"It already costs me over $20 return A DAY to use the trains and services barely run once an hour and there aren't ever enough seats but you want to charge us more?" she posted.

A TransLink social media officer said they were "sorry to hear you feel this way" and also pointed out Queensland Rail trains had returned to the 2017 timetable as of Monday.

Cindy Crowley sarcastically wrote: "Just in time for back to school ... nice one TransLink."

Previously, TransLink deputy director general Matthew Longland said the 1.5 per cent change reflected the increased cost of providing transport services, such as driver and support staff wages, fuel and vehicle costs.

"Even with the modest CPI rise, fares in Queensland will still be cheaper than they were in 2014," he said.

The Strachan inquiry revealed an over-reliance on overtime and recommended QR open up external recruitment.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said QR had embarked on a massive recruitment campaign.

"Since October 2016, Queensland Rail has selected 145 trainee drivers and 262 trainee guards, with 49 drivers and 157 guards now fully qualified and working on the SEQ network," he said.

"A further 74 drivers and 42 guards are currently in training, and the next trainee driver and guard schools will commence in January and February respectively.

"Queensland Rail is continuing to work as quickly as possible to recruit and train additional drivers and guards, which is critical to increasing services for its customers."

Mr Bailey said the last fare increase was in 2014, when fares increased by 7.5 per cent in south-east Queensland under the LNP.

"The Palaszczuk government in contrast is committed to fairer fares for Queensland public transport users," he said.

Mr Bailey said QR had also met its target of 95 per cent of trains running on time.

The public transport timetable for the Commonwealth Games in April was yet to be announced, but Mr Bailey promised it would be "soon".

"Queensland Rail is working closely with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to finalise an integrated public transport model for south-east Queensland which will encompass all modes of transport to support travel to and from the games, and for other customers during games time," he said.

"The details of this integrated transport model will be released to customers and spectators soon."

In late 2016, QR began rolling out reduced timetables during school holidays following the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line, which revealed a driver shortage, blamed on rules that restricted external hiring hiring. The issues resulted in hundreds of services being cancelled.

The latest school holiday train timetable ended on Monday, with services increasing in frequency, but there will be 400 fewer services compared with the timetable introduced in October 2016 for the Redcliffe Peninsula Line.