The Regional Transportation Authority voted Friday to accept $91 million -- much of that an advance on next year's state money -- so the Chicago Transit Authority and Pace suburban bus service could postpone service cuts and fare increases until Nov. 4.

But after that, transit officials say all bets are off without some action by lawmakers in Springfield.

"This is a gamble, it is a big gamble," said RTA board member Judy Baar Topinka, one of two dissenters in the RTA's 10-2 vote. A former GOP gubernatorial candidate, Topinka chastised Gov. Rod Blagojevich and lawmakers for not agreeing on a long-term funding solution.

Without the looming service cuts and fare increases that were set to go into effect this weekend, lawmakers now have a few more weeks to work out mass transit funding issues. A House bill failed earlier this month after some lawmakers wanted to tie it to a massive statewide construction program to build roads, bridges and schools.

A compromise that includes a capital program "will clear the way for the transit bill," said Democratic state Rep. Julie Hamos, chairwoman of the House Mass Transit Committee.

The Senate is scheduled to meet next week, and the House will convene in October.

David Dring, spokesman for House Minority Leader Tom Cross, said lawmakers are "looking forward to rolling up our sleeves" and working out a settlement. Cross, an Oswego Republican, opposed the transit legislation as a way to pressure other state leaders to cooperate on a construction plan.

The failed bill came up with transit money in part through a regional sales tax increase in Cook County and the five suburban "collar" counties, something Blagojevich opposes as a "backdoor fare hike." Transit officials continue to back the bill, which they say is equitable.

Blagojevich complained Friday that mass transit riders had been used as a "pawn" to try to force a tax increase, a tactic he said was "wrong." He said the short-term funding solution he offered to the RTA takes the pressure off riders who no longer face impending fare increases and service cuts.

"The pressure is back on where it belongs. It's on the governor, it's on the Legislature, it's on the state leaders, it's on Mayor Daley, it's on the people at the CTA and the RTA. It's on all of us who are responsible for the public welfare," Blagojevich said.

The CTA had planned to suspend 39 bus routes and raise fares by up to $1 on Sunday. Pace had said it would have to reduce service and raise fares. The Metra commuter rail still planned to defer capital projects, including some maintenance and improvement work, spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet said.

The outlook worsens for Chicago commuters if lawmakers can't work something out, said CTA president Ron Huberman. He said it could mean cuts in rail service -- not just bus routes -- a "painful" boost in fares and at least 1,000 layoffs next year.

The governor's bailout includes advancing the RTA its full $54 million 2008 grant for suburban paratransit service, plus its $37 million fare subsidy.

RTA chairman Jim Reilly said the short-term funding isn't ideal, but officials had to take care of the commuters who depend on mass transit.