The STM suddenly dismissed its director general Wednesday morning as it prepares to develop its new ten-year strategic plan.

Carl Desrosiers, an engineer and 30-year-veteran of the transit society had served as the DG for two years.

“We saw that it was a good opportunity for us to see things with a fresh view so we asked Mr. Desrosiers that we will be ending his contract,” explained STM chairman Philippe Schnobb.

Schnobb said they're not dissatisfied with Desrosiers' work, however.

“It's the right timing to do that. Mr. Desrosiers is entitled to retirement and he will be able to continue his work somewhere else,” he said.

The STM will instead seek a new director general with a completely fresh vision of public transit, they say.

The official opposition at city hall questions the timing, however, coming on the heels of STM budget cuts, fare hikes and diminished service.

“One wonders if between the Coderre administration and Mr. Desrosiers, whether there was some tension with these service cuts and the raising of bus tariffs,” said Project Montreal transportation critic Craig Sauve.

Schnobb said the decision was his alone, supported by the STM's board of directors.

Mayor Coderre's office deferred all comment to the STM.

“Notwithstanding Mr. Desrosiers’ qualities, when you're in the same company for 30 years, everyone will understand that when you help building a company, after 30 years you might not be the best person to see out of the box,” he said.

The STM will begin a local and international search for their creative candidate in early 2015.