The owner of Diggers Group of buses and private hire cars has branched out and now has a fleet of taxis operating on the streets of Maitland.

"I think you'll find we're the first new taxi service in Maitland for 65 years which is pretty exciting," he said. "We're giving Maitland people a choice.

"We have nine vehicles - a combination of cars, maxis and wheelchair vehicles - and we're operating 24/7."

Mr Furner has 20 full time employees and drivers.

The company is currently operating out of Thornton, but Mr Furner hopes work will be complete on a new base at the Beresfield Industrial Estate by March.

He said with COVID-19 making business conditions tough, his drivers were also taking on food and essential service deliveries - "we're diversifying, doing what we have to".

"Business is pretty good considering," he said. "In these conditions all of our drivers are wearing masks and our cars are fully sanitised daily. We're following the NSW Taxi Council advice on hygiene, so we're doing everything we can in that regard."

And if you're wondering what the taxis look like, they're quite distinct - the army camouflage colouring is hard to miss. Diggers Taxis: 40 327 999.