Ride-sharing alternatives such as Uber are taking a bite out of the business models of traditional taxi services across the nation, as well as here at home, according to veteran drivers and cab company owners.
— Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Douglas Yu

Instead of calling a taxi company to send a cab, you can easily tap a few buttons on your smartphone and locate an UberX car that costs about 20 percent less than a normal cab.

However, this well-funded ride-sharing company from San Francisco is threatening the livelihood of Boston area cab drivers and slowly eating away their business.