For some, it's like winning the lottery.

Workers at Melbourne-based Grenda bus company were surprised to receive bonuses reaching up to $30,000 after the company owners sold off its transit operations and allocated $15 million to its loyal staff.

Ken Grenda, 79, and sons Geoff and Scott of Grenda Corporation, rewarded its 1800 staff as gesture of appreciation for contributing to the company's success spanning 66 years.

Grenda workers from bus drivers to senior executives reportedly received $8500 in average after the sale was completed.

Workers were rewarded based on years of service and role in the company.

The family patriarch, who was awarded an AM for his services to the bus industry, told News.com.au the company workers deserved their surprise bonuses.

"A business is only as good as its people, and our people are fantastic," he said. "This is to recognise that. We have had people here who are second generation, and one fellow in the same job for 52 years.

"We have grown from just four bus routes in Dandenong in 1945 to operating 1300 buses in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. You only get there if you have good people."

Grenda is Australia's largest bus maker, building about 600 buses a year.

The workers will reportedly keep their jobs under the new owners.

Mr. Grenda was pleased to receive countless thank-you messages via various communication channels, and the remarks were filled with thrill.

"People said all sorts of things. One said they had a huge amount of bills and you have suddenly got me out of a hole," he said.

Grenda sold its transit operations to Melbourne operator Ventura for about $400 million last year, and it is set to settle the sale of its bus building business Volgren to a Brazilian company today.

News.com.au spoke to Grenda bus driver Heath, who has been with the company for only 10 months. He was stoked to receive around $850 in bonus.

"Some employees were calling their banks assuming it was an error," he said. "Good bosses are hard to find and Ken was a very good boss, one of a kind."