Kansas Turnpike Authority
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1953
- HeadquartersWichita, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
Kansas Turnpike Authority firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kansas Turnpike Authority
- Legal name
- Kansas Turnpike Authority
- Website
- https://ksturnpike.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1953
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kansas Turnpike Authority industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Toll Road Operations
- NAICS
- Regulation and Administration of Transportation Programs (926120)
- SIC
- Transportation Services (4700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tolling, Pricing & Revenue Operations (Toll Roads, Congestion Pricing, Enforcement) (BPAIALAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) & Transponder/Tag Systems (RFID/DSRC) (TLAJABAA), Back-Office Toll Transaction Processing, Billing & Customer Account Management (TLAJABAC), Road & Highway Authorities (Planning, Construction, Maintenance) (BPAIALAA), Lane Closure, Detour & Diversion Operations (Detour Setup, Route Management, Access Management) (TLAJALAK)
Keywords
Where Kansas Turnpike Authority is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wichita
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Kansas Turnpike Authority business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Toll Revenue: KTA operates as a user-fee supported organization — tolls are the major source of revenue to maintain and operate the 236-mile Turnpike and pay back bondholders who loaned private capital to finance, construct and reconstruct the Turnpike. KTA receives no federal or state tax funding. The organization maintains bond ratings from Moody's and S&P Global. All revenue collected from the Kansas Turnpike stays within the organization by Kansas statute.
- Transponder Account Fees: Revenue from KTAG and compatible transponder accounts — customers with valid transponders pay the lowest transponder rate (50% discount vs. license plate rate). Currently 70% of customers pay using a transponder account with a saved payment method.
- Advertising Revenue: Advertising opportunities at toll plazas and service areas, including blue logo highway signs for nearby businesses, Adopt-a-Highway recognition signs, and billboard/display advertising at toll plazas and service areas.
- Construction and Procurement Contracts: As a quasi-public organization, KTA issues construction contracts and other procurement requests. While not direct revenue, these represent expenditure programs that support organizational operations and infrastructure modernization.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Monthly | KTAG Transponder Rate — lowest available toll rate, 50% savings |
| Usage-based | Monthly | License Plate (Image-Based) Rate — standard toll rate for vehicles without transponders |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Kansas Turnpike Authority product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kansas Turnpike Authority operates and maintains the 236-mile Kansas Turnpike from the Oklahoma border to Kansas City, designated as Interstates I-35, I-335, I-470 and I-70. The authority operates a fully cashless tolling system using 42 overhead gantries, the DriveKS payment platform, and the KTAG transponder (which also interoperates with 11 out-of-state transponder brands). It supports roughly 36.5 million vehicle trips per year and complements the roadway with six service areas, a real-time truck parking system, roadside assistance, and construction services.
Product overview
Kansas Turnpike Authority operates a 236-mile toll road system from the Oklahoma border to Kansas City, using a cashless tolling system implemented on July 1, 2024. The core product portfolio consists of KTAG (electronic transponder device providing 50% toll savings), DriveKS (toll payment and account management platform), and the Cashless Tolling System (gantry-based electronic toll collection). Additional services include the 69Express Lanes partnership, KTA Safety Assist roadside assistance, and a truck parking system. The system accepts multiple out-of-state transponders for regional compatibility, and all toll services are integrated through DriveKS.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- KTAG Electronic toll collection transponder device that allows automatic toll payment on the Kansas Turnpike and 11 compatible out-of-state toll systems, with a 50% savings versus license plate billing.
- DriveKS Kansas' toll payment platform that lets customers manage all tolls in one account, supporting both transponder-based and license-plate (image-based) transactions, with web portal and mobile app for billing, account management, and disputes.
- Cashless Tolling System Electronic toll collection system on the 236-mile Kansas Turnpike using 42 overhead gantries with roadside tolling equipment that identifies vehicles via transponder or license plate and charges per-mile rates by axle count.
- 69Express Lanes Optional express lanes on U.S. 69 in Overland Park offering tolled travel with variable pricing during peak times, integrated with the DriveKS tolling system and KTAG-compatible.
- KTA Safety Assist
Quantifiable outcome
- 84% of customers support the conversion to cashless tolling, per KTA's most recent customer satisfaction survey
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Kansas Turnpike Authority
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Kansas Turnpike Authority technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration16 records
Feature4 records
Kansas Turnpike Authority partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Tessere, Inc.minorTessere, Inc. (Wichita, Kan.) has been selected as the architect for the Emporia Service Area redevelopment project. The firm will provide architectural design services for the demolition and reconstruction of the existing service area into a modern facility.
- Dondlinger & Sons Construction Co., Inc.minorDondlinger & Sons Construction Co., Inc. (Wichita, Kan.) serves as the construction manager for the Emporia Service Area redevelopment project. The firm has also been awarded multiple other KTA construction contracts including bridge redecking, widening, and pavement projects.
- Fast N' Friendly, LLCminorFast N' Friendly, LLC (Lenexa, Kan.) has been selected as the service operator for the Emporia Service Area redevelopment project. The company will operate food, fuel, and other services at the new modernized facility once construction is complete.
- Love's Travel StopminorLove's Travel Stop is a partner at the Topeka Service Area. KTA announced a truck care location partnership at the Topeka Service Area with Love's. Love's provided bottled water to support Run for the Wall riders at the Topeka Service Area.
- Kansas Highway Patrol (Troop G)coreKHP Troop G is assigned specifically to the Kansas Turnpike to promote safety along the roadway. The Commander oversees Troop G and works closely with KTA's Incident Management Center that keeps patrol and maintenance staff and customers connected. KHP Troopers also measure oversized loads over 14 feet in height to authorize or deny travel on the Turnpike.
- Colorado Toll Roads (ExpressToll / E-470)coreStarting June 2, 2024, KTAG became compatible with most toll roads in Colorado including E-470 and Express Lanes in the Denver metro area. Northwest Parkway (nine-mile private toll road in northwestern Denver) is not yet included. This enables seamless regional travel between Kansas and Colorado for transponder users.
- Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT)coreKTA works closely with KDOT to provide a strong roadway system throughout the state. On July 1, 2013, legislation formalized the partnership with both organizations directed by the Kansas Secretary of Transportation. The Secretary serves as both Director and a member of KTA's 5-person board. KDOT Secretary also became the Turnpike's Director per Kansas Statutes. KTA also partners with KDOT on statewide initiatives including Drive to Zero safety program, truck parking system consistency, and 69Express Lanes interoperability.
- GEICOcoreGEICO sponsors the KTA Safety Assist program — a fleet of dedicated vehicles operated by Kansas Turnpike personnel providing free initial roadside assistance to motorists on busy sections of the Turnpike. The program runs year-round in two sections: Topeka to Kansas City and Wichita to the Oklahoma border. GEICO is the program's sponsor; KTA personnel operate it independently and are not authorized to contact GEICO on behalf of motorists or assist in insurance claims.
- Burns & McDonnell / EBPminorBurns & McDonnell and EBP completed the 2025 Economic Impact Report for KTA, quantifying the significant economic value generated by KTA's operations and the Kansas Turnpike. The study found $282 million in economic output and 1,226 supported jobs statewide.
- Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (Pikepass)corePikepass transponders from Oklahoma are accepted on the Kansas Turnpike. This cross-state compatibility has helped grow electronic tolling from less than 45% in 2013 to nearly 70% today.
- Texas Toll Partners (EZ TAG, TxTag, TollTag)coreThree Texas-based transponder systems — EZ TAG, TxTag, and TollTag — are accepted on the Kansas Turnpike, enabling seamless travel for Texas-based travelers on Kansas roads.
- SunPass (Florida)coreSunPass (including SunPass Mini and SunPass Pro) transponders from Florida are accepted on the Kansas Turnpike, extending compatibility from the Gulf Coast to the Midwest.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Kansas Turnpike Authority competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA): Operates EZ TAG-compatible tollways in the Houston region with direct interoperability with KTA, providing a directly comparable county-level toll authority business model.
- Florida's Turnpike Enterprise: Operates toll roads across Florida using SunPass transponders (including SunPass Pro/Mini) accepted on the Kansas Turnpike, with comparable cashless tolling operations and broad interoperability.
- Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission: One of the largest US toll road operators with comparable E-ZPass transponder-based tolling, bond-funded infrastructure, and ongoing capital modernization programs at scale.
- New Jersey Turnpike Authority: Operates the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway with E-ZPass transponder-based electronic tolling — a directly comparable state toll authority using user fees and bonded debt to fund operations.
- E-470 Public Highway Authority: Colorado toll road authority operating E-470 with ExpressToll transponders that KTA accepts; the June 2024 reciprocal compatibility launch makes E-470 one of the closest interoperability peers.
- North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA): Regional toll authority in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro issuing TollTag transponders that KTA accepts, with a comparable user-fee-supported model and electronic toll collection focus.
- Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA): Operates toll roads in the Austin region and issues TxTag/EZ TAG, accepted on KTA; shares the cashless/electronic tolling model with a growing-express-lane portfolio.
- Oklahoma Turnpike Authority: Operates Oklahoma's turnpike system using Pikepass transponder that KTA accepts, making it a direct interoperability and operational peer with similar user-fee tolling model across the adjacent state line.
- Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission: Comparable Midwestern turnpike authority operating a toll corridor with electronic tolling, E-ZPass acceptance, and a similar user-fee-supported capital reinvestment approach.
- Illinois Tollway: Quasi-public toll road operator with similar user-fee-supported model, I-PASS transponder system, and growing interoperability with KTA's KTAG, plus comparable capital reinvestment programs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kansas Turnpike Authority social profiles
Digital presenceKansas Turnpike Authority financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kansas Turnpike Authority leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Kansas Turnpike Authority funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kansas Turnpike Authority M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kansas Turnpike Authority
What does Kansas Turnpike Authority do?
Kansas Turnpike Authority operates and maintains the 236-mile Kansas Turnpike from the Oklahoma border to Kansas City, designated as Interstates I-35, I-335, I-470 and I-70. The authority operates a fully cashless tolling system using 42 overhead gantries, the DriveKS payment platform, and the KTAG transponder (which also interoperates with 11 out-of-state transponder brands). It supports roughly 36.5 million vehicle trips per year and complements the roadway with six service areas, a real-time truck parking system, roadside assistance, and construction services.
Is Kansas Turnpike Authority a public or private company?
Kansas Turnpike Authority is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Kansas Turnpike Authority founded?
Kansas Turnpike Authority was founded in 1953. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Kansas Turnpike Authority based?
Kansas Turnpike Authority is headquartered in Wichita, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kansas Turnpike Authority make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Toll Revenue is the primary driver. The others are transponder Account Fees, advertising Revenue and construction and Procurement Contracts.
Who are Kansas Turnpike Authority's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA), Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, New Jersey Turnpike Authority, E-470 Public Highway Authority, North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA), Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission and Illinois Tollway.
Does Kansas Turnpike Authority have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kansas Turnpike Authority.
What industry is Kansas Turnpike Authority in?
Kansas Turnpike Authority's product category is Toll Road Operations. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIALAH, Tolling, Pricing & Revenue Operations (Toll Roads, Congestion Pricing, Enforcement), with a secondary code of TLAJABAA, Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) & Transponder/Tag Systems (RFID/DSRC). Its NAICS code is 926120 and its SIC code is 4700.