Chicago CTA riders may get a little short-term relief if an offer by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to advance the agency $24 million is approved by regional transportation officials.

If approved, the additional money, an advance on the agency's 2008 funding, will allow the CTA to delay proposed fare increases until November.

The cash infusion will serve as a temporary fix for the CTA as state officials continue to pursue a long-term solution to the agency's $110 million budget deficit. The state senate is scheduled to take up the mass transit bill on Monday.

Without additional funding, fare hikes will go into effect Nov. 4. Riders can expect to pay up to $3 during rush hour and monthly passes will jump from $75 to $84.

CTA Chairman Carole Brown and President Ron Huberman accepted the offer and are waiting on approval from the Regional Transit Authority.

Brown welcomed the relief, but cautioned that without additional funding the $24 million will do little to solve the agency's overall budget woes.

"We are hopeful that they (RTA) will decide to accept the offer," she said.

The RTA vote on the proposed funding is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday at 175 W. Jackson Blvd.