The Ombudsman's Office has expressed sympathy to those who find televisions on buses intrusive, but ruled that the Transport Department was not derelict in its duty over the issue.
The office ruled that the onus was on bus companies to deal with divergent views on bus television - which various surveys have found is supported by anywhere between 32 and 70 per cent of respondents.
More than 200 people complained to the office about bus television, but the office noted that other commuters liked it and thought the volume was too low.
The office said the Government had the power to amend a franchise allowing a company to operate a bus service for a specified route at will - but the bus company would be entitled to compensation if it did not consent.
However, the Public Bus Services Ordinance did not require bus companies to seek permission from the Transport Department to install bus TV, the office concluded.
It noted that the department had urged bus companies to explore options to tackle the noise problems, such as lowering the volume.
Anti-bus TV lobby group Hush the Bus said the office's ruling on the department was disappointing. It added that it would consider appealing against the decision.