Fuel returns to Kansas Turnpike service areas

Fuel arrived late Wednesday afternoon at two service areas on the Kansas Turnpike that ran out on Tuesday.

Trucks arrived first at the Towanda service area, which ran out of gasoline and diesel early Tuesday afternoon, according to the turnpike’s website. Tankers arrived at Matfield Green, which ran out of gas Tuesday night, later Wednesday.

The Turnpike Authority’s board has reassigned the leases for both service areas from PCF Saleco to GasMart USA, which is based in Overland Park.

“PCF Saleco is experiencing some difficult business issues and requested this change so KTA customers will continue to have continuous access to fuel,” a statement on the Turnpike Authority’s website said Wednesday.

State Farm Safety Assist drivers patrolled the Flint Hills between Wichita and Emporia on Wednesday to assist motorists needing fuel. Kansas Turnpike Authority troopers and maintenance workers also watched for stranded drivers.

About a half-dozen Phillips 66 stations in the Kansas City area managed by PCF Saleco also ran out of fuel earlier this week.

“Just trying to make the best of a bad situation for our customers,” the Turnpike Authority said on Twitter shortly after noon Wednesday.

Rachel Bell, a spokeswoman for the Turnpike Authority, said five motorists had received assistance as of early Wednesday afternoon — two by the side of the road and three who had reached a service area and realized they would run out of gas before reaching a service area with fuel.

This story was originally published August 29, 2012 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Fuel returns to Kansas Turnpike service areas."