It depends where the kids live. I live on the top of a huge "cold-a-sack" (or is it "cul-de-sac".... or neither????? no idea...) and the bus stops at the bottom of the huge hill, so if I was going to walk to the bottom, I'd have to walk like a mile, and in the morning I'm usually to tired to walk that far. So even though I'm in jr. high, I let my parents drive me. Besides, these two kids live near me, and they're really mean. They commit small crimes in my neighborhood from time to time (knocking down a neighbor's rock wall, spraying shaving cream on the mail boxes, etc.). Anyways, I wouldn't exactly look forward to waiting at the end of my street every morning for the bus with those boys. So my mom or dad drives me to the bottom of the hill, I get out of the car to wait for the bus (unless it's like freezing out), and my parents drive the car a bit away from me so they are watching me inconspicuously until I'm safely on the bus. You've got to face it, the world's not as safe as it used to be.
On the other hand, yeah, kids do kinda need their independence.......
;]