The Berejiklian government has indicated it will keep any Opal fare increase in July at the rate of inflation or less, as it gears up for the state election next March.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the government would continue to “disregard” a recommendation by the state's pricing regulator two years ago, and would “not do anything that hurts families – unlike our Labor opponents”.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Transport Minister Andrew Constance at Wynyard Station in Sydney's CBD on Tuesday. Credit:Janie Barrett

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal urged the government in 2016 to raise overall public transport fares by an average of 4.2 per cent annually over a three-year period.

Mr Constance said the government would release shortly its plans for Opal fares for the next financial year, and he spruiked his party as one that “puts downward pressure on prices”.