PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Because of rising fuel costs, an increasing number of youngsters will find themselves hoofing to school this fall.

Many school districts are eliminating or reducing bus service, forcing kids to walk or bike, or rely on mom or dad. In Montgomery County, Maryland, just outside Washington, elementary school kids can already be required to walk up to a mile, and high schoolers two miles.

Major cuts loom in California, where schools are not required to provide transportation to campus. The Capistrano Unified School District in Orange County has eliminated 44 of its 62 bus routes. That's going to affect an estimated 5,000 students.

Critics say canceling bus service will just put more cars on the road.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)