QCUSD Transportation History

Year 1947 – District Established

QCUSD officially established as the 95th numbered district in the southern valley.

QCUSD was officially established in 1947 as a Unified School District. It was the 95th numbered school district in the southern valley. Unconfirmed reports suggest Queen Creek may have been served by 2–3 Ford buses during this era, though these were possibly privately owned rather than district-operated units.

Year 1990 – First Major Fleet Purchases

Initial fleet purchases begin including Blue Bird and Thomas units.

The district’s first fleet purchases included 14 to 84-passenger school buses. These included: • 1–2 1990 Type A buses • 1991 Blue Bird TC/2000 FE's with Cummins 5.9 and Allison AT-545 • 1992 Blue Bird AARE's with Cummins 8.3 • 1992 Thomas ER's (engine unconfirmed) with Allison MT-643

Year 1996 – Edd Hennerley Hired

Transportation leadership begins modern growth era with 9 buses.

Edd Hennerley was hired as supervisor in 1996. The fleet consisted of 9 buses from the 90s. Buses were parked at Queen Creek High School before relocating to a small yard holding 10–20 buses. As growth occurred, parking expanded to 35–40 spots with a maintenance building. A potato field bordered the yard.

Year 2005 – Fleet Explosion

Fleet grows to 50–60 buses, yard overcrowded.

Major fleet purchases occurred. Yard only held 25–30 buses, so units were parked near edges, railroad tracks, and garage bays. Potato field shrunk to expand bus parking.

Year 2007 – Yard Layout Flip & New Yard Plans

Bus orientation flipped; new yard planned.

Main yard layout flipped so buses faced the entrance for easier exit. Fleet reached ~64 buses. 7 new 2008 buses ordered. New yard groundbreaking planned for Fall 2007.

Year 2009 – Potato Field Ends

Old field halts operations as new yard planned.

Potato field ceased operations around this time. Fleet reached 70–74 buses. Retirements of early 90s units began.

Year 2010 – New Yard Construction

Modern yard under construction.

Construction begins on new modern transportation facility adjacent to the original yard.

Year 2011 – Final Year in Old Yard

Concrete poured; buses tightly packed.

Old yard operating at max capacity while new yard concrete poured and infrastructure completed.

Year 2012 – Full Transition

Fleet moved to new yard; first IC CE conventionals arrive.

All district buses relocated to new yard. Old yard restriped for work trucks and driver parking. 2013 IC CE buses 83–87 arrive. Many 90s–2002 buses retired.

2017–2018 – District Milestone

Edd honored; HDX units arrive; open house held.

Edd Hennerley honored with his name placed on facility exterior. July 2018 Open House hosted ~100 attendees (SchoolBusFleet Magazine). 4 new 2018 Thomas HDX units (140–143) delivered. QCBusBarn Facebook page launched.