BANGOR, Maine – Bangor Savings Bank has invested $10,000 in Tip Whip, the local, app-based, peer-to-peer transportation service that provides tip-only rides for college students.
As Tip Whip’s first corporate partner, the bank pledged to cover the tips for 1,000 rides for students attending the University of Maine and Husson University, who use the growing service to get safely to or from a class, a job, the grocery store or a campus event. The service was the first of its kind in the country when it began a year ago.
Since the launch of the Tip Whip mobile app, the service has been used by more than 18,000 students and provided a part-time driving job for more than 80 enrolled students. Tip Whip expanded to Husson University in November, is now serving the University of Maine at Farmington and has plans to expand to other Maine colleges this year.
“We’re proud to support entrepreneurship through such an innovative service,” said Bangor Savings Bank President and CEO Bob Montgomery-Rice. “Tip Whip fills a transportation need and provides jobs, all with a focus on Maine’s college students.”
Tip Whip passengers will know their ride has been covered by Bangor Savings when they receive a surprise message on the Tip Whip app at the point when they choose a driver tip.
Spencer Wood, Tip Whip’s founder and CEO and a UMaine graduate, said, “Our mission is to get every college student home safely no matter how much money they have in their pocket. We are thrilled to have Bangor Savings Bank’s generous support.”
Learn more about the service or how to become a driver at TipWhip.com.
