What is the appropriate age to ride alone on the subway or bus?

We live in the Bronx and getting around can be difficult, but we do have subways and buses to make things easier. We wanted to know what the right age is for kids to ride the subway or buses alone. We have two points of view on this.

Kayden thinks the right age is 11 — if you are mature enough. If you are not, Kayden writes, and you’re just silly, you can get hurt. I say this because people don’t really want random people in their business. On the bus there is the driver who can give you help. With the subway, I think you should be 15 because it might be a little more dangerous, and you are alone and no one is there to protect you. When you are on the bus it’s easier for someone to see if someone hurts you.

Railenny agrees with Kayden in some ways. She writes: If it’s a short ride, you can be 13, but you have to know where you are going! You have to know how many stops you are traveling, and that may seem easy, but it can be confusing, too. Also it is weird if you are young and people are staring at you, so before age 13 you should travel with someone older. But to be absolutely sure, I think 16 is the right age.

Lauren Shea Buckridge, John Ferraro and Laticia Robinson’s students, Grant Avenue Elementary School, Bronx