The cooperative
Anyone aged 16 and over, wanting to participate in the realization of the High Speed Monorail project can join the Coop MGV. Since June 2014, legal persons (companies) can also join Coop MGV.
Why to become a member of Coop MGV?
- To concretely help the project on the proposed High Speed Monorail (MGV) while supporting Coop MGV, an independent company dedicated to serve its members.
- To be consulted in discussions on issues at stake affecting the company's management.
- To obtain privileged information, mainly by email or within ad hoc meetings.
- To have the opportunity to acquire preferred shares, in order to financially contribute to the project while expecting a significant return of investment.
- To appoint officers, choose the company's policies and actively participate in decisions and development of Coop MGV by voting at General Assemblies.
- To be able to serve on the Coop MGV’s Board of Directors and thus participate in its strategic development.
- 7. To decide about payout ratios distribution generated by the company.
How to join Coop MGV?
You must purchase two (2) qualifying shares worth $10 each. By buying these two qualifying shares you get a no time limit membership. To do this, you must complete an application and pay the $20 fee. Your request will be submitted to the Board of Directors of Coop MGV for approval. Once your admission application is accepted by the Board, you will be an official member of Coop MGV. You will receive an email confirming your new status and your membership number. Please allow approximately two weeks following the submission of your admission application.
What are the payment facilities?
Within the electronic application form, you can make a payment online, within the form, with credit card or Paypal. For payments by check, please send us a copy of the application form by mail with a check payable to Coop MGV to the following address:
Secretariat Coop MGV
1212, Albert Lozeau
Québec (QC)
G1T 1H2
For mailed applications, please allow 30 days
What's a preferred share?
These are high-efficiency units reserved for members of Coop MGV which essentially serve to finance the business. As some other investments, the level of risk of purchasing these Units is relative to the proposed performance.
How to purchase preferred shares?
Web form
Press the "Purchases of preferred shares" on the MGV Coop tab on top of the homepage. Please note that only members can purchase preferred shares. Complete the purchase form and press "Confirm". A certificate stipulating that you hold preferred shares will be forwarded by email within a few days. Keep this email carefully. You can print the certificate, it represents your proof of purchase.
By mail
Print out and complete the purchase form. Mail the form and check (to the attention of Coop MGV) at the following address: Secretariat Coop MGV PC 9032 Branch Ste-Foy Quebec (Quebec) G1V 4A8.
The projet
Has a monorail’s development project in Quebec survey been produced?
Yes, a first survey was prepared by the Institute of Contemporary Economic Research (IREC) : http://www.irec.net (version PDF)
Would it be more advantageous to have a metropolitan network: Montreal, South Shore, North Shore than the proposed network Montreal-Quebec?
MGV (High Speed Monorail) can serve the suburbs of major metropolitan areas but it meets mainly the need of public transportation travel type and long distances. We believe that MGV is operating at its maximum potential serving distances between 50 and 600 kilometers.
Why not choosing a route that would generate more traffic like Montreal-Toronto for the first phase of the monorail’s construction?
First of all, we want to promote economic and social interest of Quebeckers since they are accounting for the vast majority of our members. The choice of Montreal and Quebec City seems an interesting first option as the Metropolis and the Capital represent a strategic link for the Province of Quebec.
Will it be suitable for persons with reduced mobility (PRM)?
The MGV will serve clients with travel limitations or constraints.
Why are there three companies promoting the MGV in Quebec?
The proposed High Speed Monorail (MGV) interests many Quebeckers. Currently TrensQuébec, MGV Québec and us (Coop MGV) have a similar goal: we want to develop MGV technology to commercialize it. However the chosen means differ according to the values and interests of those seeking its achievement. The High Speed Monorail Solidarity Cooperative (Coop MGV) wants the population to actually account ownership of the MGV project and we believe that such cooperative’s model is ideal to protect intellectual property. MGV Coop agrees that it’s in the interest of all to try to bring together the various organizations wishing to materialize the MGV.
Why not put the efforts towards developing the Hyperloop instead of the MGV ?
In fact, when these two technologies, the Hyperloop and the MGV, will be operational, they will be complementary.
We should not forget that the goal of Hyperloop is to compete with air routes. MGV’s goal is mainly to connect closer geographical points, in more obstructed zones. MGV will be the perfect tool for regional transport and intercity, up to 500 km, while Hyperloop will perfectly suit long journeys.
Until they are operational, these two approaches present technological challenges of really different scales. The technical constraints that Hyperloop technology brings are much more complex MGV’s.
We will have to, among other things, develop all performant systems of :
- Major depressurization and supporting tubes leak tightness
- Security and access in case of problem
- Sustentation and alignment of capsules
- Pressurization and stability of capsules
- Alignment and stability of supporting structures
- Station’s connecting zone for high volume ridership
- Propulsion by linear motorization
- Propulsion by capsule’s frontal ‘reactor’
- Autonomy and capsule’s weight
Compared to Hyperloop, even if it requires a significative technological development, MGV remains a much more accessible system.
Infrastructure and exploitation costs of the Hyperloop are also important issues. There is so much more new element in this technology that it is extremely hard to predict what will be the real costs. For example, it will require particularly straight and uncluttered routes. It will be very expensive to have access to the necessary ground spaces. At low speed, it will be able to run in tight curves, but structure installation will be really expensive in urban sectors.
MGV will face a lot less geographical or topographic constraints and is much more cost predictable.
Finally, the transport experience won’t be the same: Hyperloop will confine its passengers in small pods, without vision, in which the atmosphere will be maintained viable artificially. MGV is proposing a panoramic view of the surrounding, with spacious interiors, and passengers will be enveloped in a tempered atmosphere with ambient pressure.
Technology, Structure & Safety
The following answers are based on possible results of what could be developed. The R&D that Coop MGV counts on making will come to confirm these hypothesis.
Is it possible to transport goods in MGV?
Yes, the project foresees cargo shuttles that will transport up to 10 tons of cargo.
Can the MGV operate in a harsh winter climate?
Yes, the rail will be covered to protect it from snow or ice accumulation.
What is the network's estimated life expectancy?
Approximately 50 years for shuttles and 100 years for the network.
What will MGV’s stations look like?
Each municipality will be subject to specific requirements for the construction of the stations. However, we wish to let local people express their creativity to make attractive and functional stations.
What weather conditions may affect the use of service, or even to completely stop the monorail for a period of time?
The system will be subject to increased surveillance while poor weather conditions prevail. Limitations will be determined upon research and development stage.
What about risk of collision and how will this be avoided?
A minimum distance will be maintained between each shuttle. In case of failure, a slowdown or a full stop will be made.
What evacuation method is intended to use in case of problems?
Numerous evacuation options are possible and will be studied.
Services & Amenities
Are there plans for users to have a kind of space aimed for baggage hold?
Baggage compartments are essential to provide an equivalent or superior luggage transport service than competitors such as bus or train. We will make available to customers a space large enough to carry large suitcases, a golf bag or a pair of skis. Additional charges may be added. In the event that the holds are not fully used by luggage, space may be used for mail or other lightweight goods.
Was the option of splitting the shuttle in business class and economy class considered?
Several models fixtures and fittings in shuttles will eventually be presented to meet different categories of users.
Do shuttles need a driver?
An attendant greets passengers boarding the monorail, but the transport system is automated and completely autonomous. A driver is not necessary.
Will there be a toilet inside the passenger’s shuttles?
Yes.