WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - Cashless tolling will begin on the Kansas Turnpike on July 1, the KTA announced Friday.

KTA CEO Steve Hewitt also announced the release of a virtual "Go! Cashless" toolkit, which is available at DriveKS.com. Available materials include short videos, FAQs, newsletter/article copy, flyers, posters and more. 

“This is the largest change for turnpike customers since opening day in 1956,” Hewitt said. “We are excited to improve safety while also enhancing the customer experience and modernizing our operations.”

Cashless tolling means there will no longer be on-road toll collection and all drivers will keep moving. Drivers will be identified by a transponder such as KTAG or by license plate registration information. DriveKS will be Kansas’ new toll payment system, whether a customer has a KTAG or is identified by their license plate. Statements and customer communication will come from DriveKS.

“Cashless tolling is something our customers experience in other states and we’re proud to bring it here to Kansas,” said Bruce Meisch, director of technology and the cashless conversion project manager. “For the 70% of customers who use KTAG or a compatible transponder from another state, not much will change.”

In KTA’s most recent customer satisfaction survey, 95% believe KTA is an important part of Kansas transportation and 84% support the conversion to cashless tolling.

Customers who currently pay at a toll booth can get a KTAG to pay the lowest toll. In January, KTA released its per-mile toll rate structure effective July 1, which the KTA says will be the lowest of any cashless system across the country.