I seem to remember having a 30 minute bus ride to school through elementary school, and if I missed the bus, it was an hour's walk (though I could do it in about 10 minutes by bike if the swampy bit was mostly dry).

I guess I'm fortunate that my parents not only trusted me to do that, but encouraged it.

That said, I have a face for radio - they probably didn't think anyone in their right mind would even attempt to try and steal me...