Bhubaneswar, Oct. 20: A downward revision of diesel prices has led to the demand for reduction in bus fares — which private bus operators said they would welcome if the government took a decision.

But, officials of Bhuba-neswar Puri Transport Service Limited that manages the city bus service in Bhuban-eswar, Cuttack, Puri and Khurda said they would not reduce the fare, as the current diesel price cut was not enough to call for a revision.

The diesel price in Bhubaneswar was reduced by Rs 3.63 per litre, including local taxes. After the reduction, the price of diesel has come down to Rs 59.87 per litre from Rs 63.50.

The fare revision for private buses was effected on August 19 following the private bus owners’ repeated threats. The state government had increased the fare by 5 paise to 8 paise per kilometre.

The bus owners, at that point of time, said there was an increase of Rs 7.26 per litre of diesel since October 2013, when the fares were last revised.

The authorities effected changes in the city bus fare on September 27. The hike ranged between Re 1 and Rs 4, depending on the distance.

However, passengers do not share the operators’ views. There had been a huge cut in diesel prices and the bus operators should reduce the fares immediately in tune with their formula that is linked with the oil price, feel many commuters.

“Earlier, diesel price used to be increased by 50 paise or 60 paise every month. But now, the rate has been brought down by Rs 3.63. If the operators do not revise the fare accordingly, they are cheating people,” said Sahadev Sahu, a daily passenger.

The All Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association spokes-person Debasis Nayak said: “Our association will welcome any step taken by the state government to reduce the fare as deemed necessary.”

“The fare should be linked to the variation of the prices of fuel. Besides the de-regularisation of diesel will necessitate frequent changes in the price and automatic fare revision will be beneficial,” said Nayak. He said that as the government process was time consuming it affects the fare revision.

But, officials of the Dream Team Shahara (DTS), the private operator of city buses and Bhubaneswar Puri Transport Service Limited, said there was no need for a downward revision despite the government formulating an automatic fare revision formulae for them in September.

“According to the formula, the fare can be revised when the change in fuel price is minimum 5 per cent. The current diesel price cut is 5.7 per cent of the old price. There should be a cut now,” said a passenger.

Chief executive officer of the DTS Sudhanshu Jena said the fare revision was effected when the fuel price had gone up by many fold.

Similarly, Bhubaneswar Puri Transport Service Limited chief Sanjeeb Mishra said: “If the diesel price goes down by Rs 5 per litre, the new formulae will be implemented and the fare will be revised.”

Daily commuters also demanded a reduction in autorickshaw fares.

“Autorickshaw drivers have been demanding fares according to their whims and fancies. The current situation demands a quick fare reduction,” said Shaswati Dash, a regular autorickshaw passenger.