11 year old getting bus to school

[Chizem]

Would you let your 11 year old get the bus to school? My child is starting secondary school in September and I want her to have a bit of independence however the bus she would need to get on is about a 5 minute walk from the house (including crossing a busy road, it does have traffic lights though) and then changes at the main bus station, it takes about 45 minutes and drops her off directly outside of the school. I just feel it’s a bit much for her, she’s beginning to become more independent, like going into the local shop for me whilst I wait in the car or staying at home for around half an hour whilst I pick the youngest up from nursery, but I feel she’s still too young to be travelling on public transport on her own. My 4 year old is due to start school this year and the two schools are no where near each other which makes it even harder as obviously I can’t be in two places at once and I can’t really afford breakfast clubs. Just wandered if anybody has any experience or advice on the matter?
Thanks

Make sure she knows that road bus stops are on both sides of the road and not necessarily opposite each other, so the place you get off isn't the place to wait to get on for the return.

Yes - all of mine did it, they made travel buddies very quickly. I do remember being nervous with my first too though… we did a few test runs. First DC then chaperoned her younger sibling 2 years later for about 2 weeks when they got fed up off each other and by then he had made his own travel buddy friends.
When the new Year 7s start at their schools they look out for them too.

My 11 year old does this, she also goes to the cinema, bowling, arcade, park, shops etc with friends. They started during the summer when she was about to go to year 6 and carried on. If you have not allowed her much time on her own yet I would build it up.
Don't worry about getting used to the bus, take her on the route a few times beforehand. Embarrassingly mine had only been on a bus about twice (we cycle/use tram a lot but I hate buses!). I gave mine a talk about not going upstairs, and sitting near the driver. She hasn't had any trouble and has made her best friends on the bus.

@Chizem

Hi try the route in Summer and let your dc get used it.

Also download Life 360 it was a life saviour for me!! I was able to track to and from school and I wasn't a nervous wreck in Autumn!

If you have a local facebook group, you could ask on there if there are any other children near you who make the same journey?
Someone did this on our village FB just yesterday, to find out how other children in the village get to the school her DD will attend in September.