The Kansas Turnpike is set to convert to cashless tolling on Monday.
The new system will offer a variety of ways for drivers to pay to use the roadway. Those using a KTAG transponder won’t need to do anything different, but the turnpike experience will change for those without a KTAG.
Under cashless tolling, drivers without a KTAG no longer will have to stop and pay at a toll booth. Using license plate identification, KTA will be able to send a bill to the car owner by way of the address listed on the vehicle’s registration, and drivers can pay their bill using the DriveKS website or mobile app. They can do this before they travel, after they travel but before receiving their bill or after receiving their bill.
KTA will automatically set up a DriveKS account for a vehicle owner if they didn’t already have one before using the turnpike.
“We’re excited to launch this customer-driven change,” said KTA CEO Steve Hewitt in a written statement. “Cashless tolling offers a safer, more efficient customer experience while keeping toll rates at some of the lowest of any cashless system in the country.”
KTA will convert the roadway system quickly during the early morning hours Monday. However, the back-office conversion process — including toll payments and account management — will take more time, and the full cashless tolling system will be set up July 8.
Between June 29 and July 7, KTA’s three customer service centers and its self-service platforms such as the websites and mobile app will be unavailable as teams work to migrate all account information into the new system. During that time, there will be no account access for customers or customer service representatives.
Beginning July 8, customer service teams and self-service platforms will be available with full functionality at DriveKS.com. Additionally, KTAG customers will be able to log into their accounts at DriveKS.com using their existing credentials, and customers who receive violations or video toll statements generated prior to the conversion can use the statement and account ID to pay online at DriveKS.com.
Drives can pay any toll statements due during the conversion window during the month of July without issue.
Cash customers traveling on the turnpike overnight on June 30 into July 1 should follow the instructions of on-road personnel and signage when exiting.
“We ask for customers’ patience as we migrate data and put final touches on DriveKS.com, the new toll payment system,” said KTA business services and customer relations director Rachel Bell. “Come July 8, we’ll be back and ready to help customers once again.”
