The growth of vanpools around the nation has been in almost direct correspondence with the ascendancy of the National Association of Vanpool Operators (NAVPO) as a clearinghouse of information for this mass transportation movement. Vanpooling is one of the most practical and viable ways of dealing with moving large amounts of people at a relatively low cost, especially in areas where rapid transit systems may be in disrepair " or may not even exist in the first place.

NAVPO is based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Ed Marks, the executive director of the organization, holds sway over the activities locally and on a nationwide basis, doing his best to keep everyone informed about vanpool goings-on and organizing the national convention, which has grown larger and more valuable to participants since it was first held in April of 1977.

NAVPO chapters exist throughout the country, relying on a system of bylaws and a constitution emanating from the Knoxville headquarters. The chapters usually meet on a monthly basis, where members and visitors exchange ideas and make contacts. NAVPO members are the "fleet administrators" of vanpooling; people whose primary concern is organizing a smooth running vanpool operation, whether for a company or as a third-party system. Other members include vendors of vanpool equipment, manufacturers, state and local law enforcement parties and invited speakers. NAVPO chapters work hard at providing the members with informative and thought-provoking, useful speakers at each get-together.

NAVPO is also taking a legislative role in states where chapters exist. Bills benefitting vanpools which have recently passed in both California and Ohio were in part approved because of chapters in that state putting some friendly pressure on their legislators. In many cases, local government and industry organizations will work hand- in-hand with NAVPO chapters in order to help pass legislation beneficial to all three sectors. Such legislation might involve tax benefits for companies purchasing vanpool units, as well as slate and federal monies targeted for areas with active vanpool programs.

The upcoming NAVPO convention should be attended by close to 500 people active in the industry, from vendors to drivers, Held near Knoxville, the same city hosting the World's Fair for 1982, the annual NAVPO convention has become 'a "must" stop for anyone interested in this still fledgling industry which is destined to grow into a powerful force as we edge closer to the turn of the century.

NAVPO wasn't always the power it slowly is becoming in the vanpool world. NAVPO was actually formed on August 19-21, 1976, in Savannah, Georgia, when 31 vanpooling advocates from private industry and government met following a regional transportation conference in Atlanta. David Lester of Arco was elected interim president at that time.

The Atlanta conference was sponsored by the Department of Transportation, after several companies sponsoring vanpool programs for their employees agreed at a Federal workshop in Knoxville, Tennessee, that a national organization would be beneficial to all involved.

The first regular board meeting of NAVPO was held in Los Angeles on December 1, 1976, shortly after NAVPO was incorporated as a private, non-profit corporation, and after the first interim board meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.

After the first board meeting, and the first convention, in April of 1977 in New Orleans, NAVPO became a viable organization whose speakers were in demand by government and industry. In June, "l977, NAVPO leadership appeared before the House Subcommittee on Government Activities and Transportation to comment on upcoming legislation. Soon after, as a result of a NAVPO request, the Insurance Services Office recognized vanpools as eligible for a separate insurance rating category and advised the insurance commissioners in all states of this action. In November, 1978, a new Federal law allowed a full ten percent tax credit to employers who provided vans to transport employees to and from work.

The first NAVPO chapter was organized in April of 1979, in the Houston-Gulf Coast area of Texas. In 1980, President Carter appointed 18 members to the National Task Force on Ridesharing. Of the 18, 15 of those appointed had employers who were NAVPO members. Some 84 percent of the recipients of President Carter's Energy Efficiency Awards for ridesharing were NAVPO members.

The latest big news from NAVPO was in July, 1981. At that time, group insurance for vanpools through NAVPO was announced to the membership.

There are about 1000 vanpools being run across the nation, and that number grows literally by the day. NAVPO has been in the forefront of the battle for the special considerations those people participating in vanpool programs deserve. Their thrust will remain helping to ease the shift from private cars to vanpools, and benefitting everyone involved with the program in the form of cleaner air, less traffic, and more gasoline for the general public.