Posted on the 14th November 2025 in PHTM News

RESPECT AND OUR THANKS TO THIS NOW RETIRED LONDON BLACK CAB DRIVER

Dan Barker hailed a London black cab on an ordinary September evening in 2023, expecting nothing more than a ride across town - What he got instead was a lesson in generosity that would touch millions.

As they drove through London's streets, the driver - a gentleman named Michael Son - struck up conversation.

Eventually, he shared something special: this would be his last ride before retirement. When they arrived at Dan's destination, Michael refused payment entirely.

“It's tradition," Michael explained with a smile. "Cab drivers don't charge for their first fare or their last."

Dan was stunned. This wasn't just any cabbie - Michael had been driving London's iconic black cabs since 1965.

For 58 years, he'd navigated the city's maze of streets, passing the legendary "Knowledge" exam that requires memorizing 25,000 streets and 20,000 landmarks.

Now, in his final moments behind the wheel, Michael was keeping an age-old tradition alive.

Moved by the gesture, Dan snapped a photo of Michael and shared the experience on X (formerly Twitter):

“Took a taxi tonight, and the driver absolutely insisted on giving me the journey for free, as it was his last ever job before retirement. He began driving in 1965. Thank you, Mike. Best wishes!”

The post exploded - 3.4 million views and counting. Then something extraordinary happened. Someone in the comments suggested Dan make a charitable donation in place of the fare.

Dan agreed and started researching taxi driver charities. When he clicked on the London Taxi Drivers' Charity for Children website, his jaw dropped. There was Michael Son, standing right next to Queen Camilla. They were handing out Paddington Bear toys to sick and disadvantaged children.

Dan dug deeper and discovered Michael's decades-long dedication to the cause. Since the 1980s, Michael has served as honorary chairman and board member of the LTCFC, a charity that brings special-needs and disadvantaged children to circuses, parades, and special events while raising money for medical equipment.

“It's such an odd coincidence to get into somebody's cab in the first place, when they tell you that this is probably going to be their last-ever ride, let alone to then suddenly Google a charity and have them appear on your computer screen," Dan told NPR, still amazed by the serendipity.

Michael had spent 58 years not just driving Londoners through their city - he'd been quietly changing children's lives, one act of kindness at a time. No fanfare. No publicity seeking; Just decades of showing up for kids who needed hope.Inspired and humbled,

Dan donated £100 to the LTCFC, along with a heartfelt message expressing his deep respect for Michael's lifelong dedication.

“Even at 80, after almost six decades on the road, Michael Son proved what true service looks like," Dan reflected. "He didn't retire to rest on his laurels—he retired still giving.

“Michael's final fare wasn't just about an old tradition. It was about a life lived in service to others - proving that the smallest acts of kindness can ripple outward in ways we never expect.

“Sometimes the most ordinary moments become extraordinary - not because of what happens, but because of who we meet along the way.

Thank you, Michael Son, for 58 years of service, countless acts of kindness, and for reminding us all that it's never about the destination - it's about who you help along the journey.


Read another story