um, I'm another who just caught the train home and was home alone, or with any siblings that didn't have sport ...

some kids from school went to the school library for an hour or two to do homework, and *then* went home, so that either they'd get home around the same time as their parents, or there would be less "alone" time.

some went to after school activities, like sport, art, tutoring or music things ...

some had a study group (not that much homework got done...) but it meant that there were a few of them together at least.

and some local churches have a drop in centre, with tea and coffee and playstation and table tennis or whatever - some kids just hang out, others play, others use the computers to do homework.

not sure if any of those things are options for you?