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KTA starts cashless tolling conversion

By Staff | Jul 3, 2024

Kansas Turnpike Authority

Crews prepare a toll booth for cashless tolling in preparation for the significant change on turnpike roads implemented at midnight Monday. Toll booths will be phased out on KTA roads

The Kansas Turnpike was converted to a cashless toll system early Monday.

The move sets off a series of activities that, according to a Kansas Turnpike Authority press release, will ultimately improve safety, customer convenience and operational efficiencies while keeping electronic toll rates as some of the lowest of any cashless system in the country.

“We’re pleased with how quickly the task of converting the roadway occurred,” said Bruce Meisch, KTA’s Cashless Tolling Project Manager and Director of Technology. “As planned, converting our back-office and preparing the new toll payment system, DriveKS and its accompanying mobile app, will take just a bit more time.”

KTA’s three customer service centers are closed and related websites and mobile app are unavailable until next Monday. During this time, June billing will be finalized in the old system and data will be migrated to the new DriveKS system. Additional conversion details are available online.

Activities to decommission toll booths have already begun.

Contracts for toll plaza demolition and lane configuration begin at the end of July and will take about 18 months. Drivers are encouraged to stay alert and watch for crews as they use these interchanges.

“Removing toll booths and reconfiguring traffic at KTA’s interchanges is a key factor behind KTA’s cashless tolling decision,” said David Jacobson, Director of Engineering. “Not having vehicles stopped at a toll booth, creating a potential collision point, makes for a safer road and better customer experience.”

Midnight on July 1, 2024, was the end of an era for the Kansas Turnpike with manual toll collection ceasing after nearly 68 years.

“We thank all KTA toll collectors over the years. They not only collected tolls but were a friendly face for many customers,” said Steve Hewitt, KTA CEO. “Their legacy of kindness and outstanding service will live on in many ways here at KTA.”