OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Oklahoma turnpikes are taking the steps to go cashless. Now one of many main ones within the metro has a date for the change.
“This morning, after I first got here via, there was a truck pulling a truck that was attempting to again up as a result of he could not get via,” stated a lady ready to pay her toll.
“Starting July twenty fifth, right here on the Kilpatrick Turnpike, we’ll take away the money machines and this turnpike will go all cashless,” stated Jack Damrill, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Director of Communications.
The brand new system is easy. If a driver doesn’t have a Pikepass, their license plate might be scanned and a invoice might be despatched to the automobile’s proprietor.
However the change comes at a price.
“The charges proper now might be roughly about 75 % larger than what the present money price [is],” Damrill stated.
For instance, it presently prices round $3 to go from Interstate 35 to Interstate 40 on the Kilpatrick Turnpike with no Pikepass.
Beneath the cashless system, that price will go as much as $5.30.
OTA’s Jack Damrill says it is a vital change, as the present machines are inclined to malfunction and trigger security hazards.
“The protection facet is great for us since you will not have individuals stopping. You will not have individuals getting out of their automobiles on the lookout for money. We now have lots of people looking for cash on the bottom,” Damrill stated.
And he says it ought to finally work with paper tags as nicely.
“We’re working with the tax fee. I consider they’re gonna roll out a brand new system so far as paper plates are thought of. I am unsure on the timing on that,” Damrill stated.
Turnpike drivers are hopeful it can maintain visitors flowing.
“That may be much more handy for me,” stated a lady KFOR spoke with.
“I feel it is higher,” stated a lady who couldn’t get the change machine to work.
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Once more, July 25 is the day the Kilpatrick will convert to cashless. The Creek and Bailey turnpikes will come subsequent yr.
However a warning, for those who select to not pay your mailed invoice inside 4 months, OTA can put a cease flag in your license plate registration.
