Cashless tolling is coming soon in KS, what to know

TOPEKA (KSNT) - New information is being released by state transportation authorities on cashless tolling on Kansas highways.

Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) CEO Steve Hewitt announced new details concerning cashless tolling in the Sunflower State in a live social media broadcast at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 5. The KTA first announced its intent to convert to the system in 2020.

"I'm proud to share with you today, that our work is coming together right on schedule," Hewitt said. "We will convert to cashless tolling at 12:01 a.m. this July 1."

This means there will no longer be on-road toll collection in Kansas following the July 1 deadline. Overhead gantries have been constructed across Kansas with drivers being billed each time they pass beneath one. This is being done to reduce congestion at toll booth locations to create a more seamless travel experience for drivers.

"For 70% of our customers, who use a K-Tag or compatible transponder, not much will change," Hewitt said. "Customers who typically stop and pay a toll at the toll booth will be identified by license plate registration information and will have new options to pay."

Hewitt says K-Tag accounts will also automatically convert to Driveks accounts on July 1. Instead of trips, transactions will be used to bill customers. This allows for additional flexibility as opposed to the current trip-based systems. This won't result in additional tolls for drivers.

"We recognize that this is a big change," Hewitt said. "It's the largest change for our customers since the turnpike's opening day in 1956. Because of this, KTA is providing a virtual go cashless toll kit for our customers, which is available starting today at driveks.com."

Hewitt also spoke on what would happen to toll booth operators. He says many of these individuals are at retirement age, with the rest being taken care of by a KTA transition plan to other positions within the department.

For more information, go to driveks.com. To watch a video on YouTube describing how cashless tolling works, click here.

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