Wow!! Such pessimism from all y'all.
Before you write a post-mortem on MAX, keep this in mind. For 12 years ('86-'98), we had a grand total of one (1) MAX line, the "Banfield Light Rail". Then in the subsequent 15 years, we added 4 more lines, with a sixth line more than halfway completed. We've quadrupled the MAX system in less than 2 decades. Plus added two new streetcar lines with several more planned in the near future. Plus started planning for both a Vancouver extension and a new SW Corridor MAX line (segment numbers 7 and 8). And possibly even the glimmer of a 9th segment along Powell Blvd. Plus added WES commuter rail in Washington County (granted, not the best example of commuter rail, but at least a start to what could become an excellent MAX corridor in the near future).
That's just in the last 15 years!!!
Do you all honestly believe that Portland is going to just stop growing, and stop improving its rail system to handle that future growth? We've invested all this time and energy and $$$ into building a comprehensive rail network that reaches (or will reach) every part of the city. But then we're just going to ignore the shortcomings at the heart of the system once all the lines are built?
Sorry, but I have a little more faith in our city than to believe that everything will just grind to a halt once Milwaukie MAX opens. I expect within the next 10 years, we'll also see both SW MAX and Vancouver MAX opening, with a possible line along Powell, an Orange line extension to OC and a Red line extension along the WES alignment, all in the planning stages, or already under construction. Then in the following 10 years, a serious discussion, planning and construction of a central subway to tie all the lines together in the most efficient method possible while also maximizing capacity for the entire system.
And before somebody cries "it's too expensive, we'll never find the money to build this".... we've ALWAYS said the exact same thing before every rail line in the city was built. Except the first one, which was paid for with money from the Mt Hood Freeway project. The money is NEVER there until the planning starts and the local priorities shift.