[vel0city]

One thing to clarify: are you talking a city bus or a school bus? I wouldn't worry about even a five year old riding a school bus alone. They're on a bus with one final safe destination or a known regular stop coming home, the bus driver is expected to watch out for the kids, and all riders of the bus are peers.

This is far different from a city bus where I wouldn't expect the same from a regular driver, the children aren't going to be taking nearly as regular ridership of the route, and the people on the bus are likely to not be other children trying to get to school and home.

But then again it really showcases a difference in mindset from riding transit and kids self sufficiency in the US versus overseas. Many people think I'm crazy for riding public transit with kids today and think I'm a complete nut for hoping they'll figure it out by thirteen. Meanwhile others can't imagine waiting to thirteen to trust them on transit.