After deadly Virginia bus crash, investigators probe company’s links to other carriers A bus company, E&P Travel Inc., involved in a fatal Virginia crash has connections to a network of travel firms, including one previously shut down for safety violations. Federal authorities are investigating these links, as this network exhibits characteristics of “chameleon carriers” who re-establish operations under new names to evade scrutiny. The investigation follows multiple accidents involving E&P Travel and raises questions about the company’s satisfactory safety rating despite a history of violations.

• E&P Travel Inc., the operator of a bus involved in a deadly Virginia crash, has ties to a network of travel firms, some with past safety violations.
• Federal authorities are investigating these connections, suspecting the network operates as “chameleon carriers” who rebrand to avoid regulatory oversight.
• The company involved in the crash has a history of speeding violations and a driver who failed an English proficiency test.
• A previous bus company, Pandora Travel Inc., linked to individuals also associated with E&P Travel, was shut down by regulators for a pattern of non-compliance and unsafe driving.
• Despite violations, E&P Travel received a “satisfactory” safety rating from the FMCSA.