how do you feel about teenagers using public transport?

[4mum]

my 15 year old does occasionally,but im not keen as,although we live in a fairly rural area he has come across drunks,kids smoking/using drugs on the buses.
the drivers dont do anything about it.

its a real pain as it means im having to ferry around all the time when buses would be more convienient.
should i just let him use them,or put up with doing all the driving?

What time do you want him to use public transport? My 15 year old is allowed to use public transport until about 8.30. If she is gong to be later than this DH picks her up. My 17 year old will use buses until about the last one goes which is about11.30. If she can't get a bus or is not sure of the way to somewhere DH will take and pick her up/ He usually picks her up if she is going to be later than 11.30. She has sometimes shared a taxi with her friends and the latest she has got home is 12.45.
She is very good about teling me where she is goingand will text me if she is going to be later than she said.

course let them get the bus

I agree. It is important that we encourage our teens to use public transport, which benefits the environment as well as giving them more independence. My 16 year old uses buses and trains. In the evening though I would want her to travel with friends and to be met at the station.

Our last bus is apparently very unpleasant. It leaves town soon after 11 pm so is full of drunks etc. Once when DS was on it, the people on the upper deck were so bad that the driver turned round and went to the local police station. Passengers were then let off one by one into the hands of the police. DS was alone and not one of the trouble makers so he was not of interest to the police. I've experienced one or two unpleasant mid evening bus journeys too, but mornings are OK (little darlings aren't up then). Have never had such problems on trains out of London, though.

My teens take the bus to and from school, and occasionally the train, if the traffic is snarled up.

Our last bus is about 6pm, so lateness and drunkenness isn't an issue.

I think the later and later bus is something they get used to gradually, and it depends on the 15 year old if they are ready or not for the extra responsibility.

When I read this I thought you were my DH's friend who said last week that she thought all children should be banned from public transport! Apparently she was serious....

let them use it, the bus isnt the only place they will see drunk people in the evening. Most drunks are harmless and there is little drivers can do.

it will be a huge difference if you let your ds move himself around and give him some independace.

I'd be happy if my teen actually moved from in front of the computer and got on a bus

Dd1 (15) catches the train to and from school with a group of friends. If she has an after school club I go and get her.

I don't let her use them at weekends even though she has a season ticket. I don't feel she is capable of fending off drunks etc.

My DD (16) uses buses frequently, but only late if coming home with 1 or more friends. Quite often they all go back to friends house and we collect from there.

DS (12) uses buses in day and if in town with friend always phones when he is getting on the bus so we know!