As of last week, those who commute from Hoboken to Port Authority Bus Terminal via the 126 NJ Transit bus will have 5 additional buses added to their morning service. This comes as a result of a March 24, 2011 letter from Hoboken to NJTransit formally requesting additional bus service.

According to a study conducted by the city, demand for the 126 bus far exceeded capacity. In a 40-minute observation period at the route’s last stop before heading into New York, nearly a third of buses (7 of 23) were too full to pick up a single passenger, leaving commuters stranded. The city noted that bus ridership had greatly increased due to new residential development within Hoboken. Hoboken’s population has skyrocketed over the last decade, growing from about 38,600 in 2000 to 50,000 in 2010 according to Census data.

Governor Chris Christie’s proposed budget promises additional transit funding so that NJ Transit can increase bus service in “select growth markets” in northern New Jersey.