Fast PassPassport Express Services Inc. offers an automated way for travelers to obtain or renew passports in as little as 24 hours

Four years ago, Eric Bulock intended to go to a businessconference in Europe and needed a passport in a hurry. Afterfrantic efforts to get one, Bulock's boss canceled the trip."I was bummed I didn't go to Europe," recalls Bulock,now 34, "but I looked at the positive side. The process was sodifficult, I thought there might be a business opportunitythere."

Bulock was convinced he could use the Web to help travelers,although the Internet was still in its formative stages in 1996.Investing less than $1,000, he launched Passport Express ServicesInc. in Providence, Rhode Island, aka PassportExpress.com, anautomated way for travelers to obtain or renew passports in aslittle as 24 hours-a far cry from the usual six to eight weeks.