The MTA and its lawyers are planning an end run around a temporary restraining order that prevents the agency from laying off about 250 of 475 station agents this week, officials said yesterday.

A loophole in the order, issued last week at the 11th hour, allows the MTA to fire the workers but still keep 42 booths open, officials said.

At the heart of the legal battle is whether MTA brass held public hearings about the booth closures in 2010.

The layoffs would save the MTA about $24 million as it faces an $800 million budget shortfall.