Students at William Paterson University faced unexpected frustration this week after learning that Pioneer Express is temporarily unavailable at some off-campus locations because of a nationwide system outage.

In a Feb. 10 email, WP Hospitality Services notified the campus community that the outside company that manages Pioneer Express payment terminals is experiencing technical difficulties affecting colleges across the country. As a result, students cannot currently use Pioneer Express at select off-campus vendors.

On-campus dining locations, vending machines and the GET mobile app remain fully operational. However, students who rely on Pioneer Express for off-campus purchases say the disruption has created inconvenience.

“I went to use my Pioneer Express at an off-campus spot like I normally do, and it just wouldn’t go through,” said Giuliana Pasquarella, a communications major. “I was shocked.”

The outage is not limited to William Paterson. According to Hospitality Services, the third-party payment provider serves multiple colleges nationwide, leading to similar disruptions at universities across the country.

For students who carefully budget their meal plans and spending, the outage has presented unexpected challenges.

“I don’t usually carry extra cash because I depend on Pioneer Express,” said Korrine Bakken.

Others expressed disappointment, particularly those who had planned off-campus meals in advance.

“I was very upset because I had to use actual money for my pizza purchases during the Super Bowl,” said Michela Mitchell. “I was depending on my Pioneer Express. It let me down.”

WP Hospitality Services said the issue is temporary and that the outside company is working to restore full functionality. Updates will be posted on the Pioneer Express webpage as they become available.

Despite the reassurance, some students said clearer communication or contingency options would help ease concerns.

“This problem could be easily resolved if there was a backup option,” said Riley Elliot. “I’m surprised there wasn’t one already in place. I wish this would have been on my radar before I made several purchases at different locations.”

For now, students are encouraged to use Pioneer Express at on-campus dining facilities or through the GET mobile app until the system is restored. Students with questions may contact [email protected] for more information.

As the university awaits a fix from the payment provider, many students are hoping for a quick resolution — and a smoother swipe the next time they step off campus.