Public Transport Alone - how old?

[ayla99]

At what age would you let a child travel by bus or train without an adult?

[devilwoman]

genarally when they start big school at eleven, even then i know its a worry for parents but they have to start some times, its much better if theres a group of 3 or more all go together, much safer that way.

[maxi29]

I was run over by a motorbike when I got off the bus and walked in front of it, not looking where I was going. I was 9 years old and it certainly wasn't my first time on a bus on my own. I think I started around about my 9th birthday.

Perhaps you could argue that the fact that I got run over shows I shouldn't have been travelling on my own (although our local paper is full of stories of adults hit by cars while not looking so children don't have a monopoly on carelessness) but I didn't care: I was off school while the World Cup was on and was able to watch every match. What a result.

[meltoadhall]

when i was a child - a while ago now lol, i was put on the bus at one end of town and i would get off at my grannies at the other, i was probably 6.
nowadays hmmmm, but my eldest has to catch the bus to school and shes 11, still not terribly happy but not really any choice. and so far no probs.

[Pam29]

I went to school by bus alone when I started secondary school - I think this is still pretty typical. Theres generally lots of other kids around so should be OK I would think.

[Lawchem]

I would say 12 ish - when they've had time to establish a few (sensible) high-school friendships and I would insist that they travel with their friends, not completely alone, until 14+. My daughter's not that old yet, so it's hard to say for sure, but that's my feeling at the moment.
Also, I read somewhere that you can't rely on kids to have fully developed road-sense till they're about 12...

[Greedyfly]

I wasn't allowed until about 12/13 - My sister was about the same age. Personally if I had children I think I would leave it later depending on who my child was going out with.

[tradey]

i say the same as devilwoman,when they start big school i was so scarred when my other two children had to go on a bus on their own but they all have to do it in the end we cant hold there hands all the time.

[morbidstorm]

I would say 13, but some kids are ready sooner than others. Depends if he/she is streetwise and mature for their age.

However, my Son is 4 and I say he can't have a girlfried until he's 21!! Slightly overprotective methinks!!

[beejaybee]

It depends where you live & how far they would be going. It`s totaly different if you live in a rural area than if you live in a big town or city.