Tipsters alerted us to a New York Times report of two automobile accidents on Friday, one of which took place on 106th and Amsterdam.

According to the Times, "a taxi, apparently rammed from behind by a silver Hyundai, jumped onto a sidewalk" and "slammed into the window of Mama’s Pizzeria." Fortunately, the collision caused only minor injuries—to the cab driver and six others—and, when Bwog stopped by to snap a photo, it appeared that Mama's had, for the most part, bounced right back. It's open for business today (though nearly half of the facade is covered in plywood—pictured below the jump) and drawing quite the crowd.

—JMB

Yes, subways may always be cheaper than cabs. And sure, you may not venture south of 108th again until after exams (you Philistine, etc.). Nevertheless, for Columbia students' (and their relatives') future transportation emergencies, Bwog applauds the Bloomberg administration's proposal for a permanent cabsharing system.

The proposal, first mentioned in Bloomberg's state of the city address, is obviously still very much in the planning stages, but would set up formal cabsharing system at airports, train stations, and a few other locations in the city. Cabsharing was temporarily implemented during the 2005 transportation strike, with drivers charging flat fees, though it's unknown what form the new system would take.

The Bloomberg public relations people might deny this, but Bwog likes to think the real inspiration was Carsplit.

Smoke, heroism and disappointment cloud EC and its environs! Eyewitness report from Bwogger John Klopfer:

"Minutes ago, outside of the Center for Career Education on Morningside Drive, a loud whoomph was heard and the smell of gas filled the Columbia University Tutoring and Translating Agency. Alarmed students poured out of its offices as flames shot six feet into the air through the hood of a taxicab parked just outside. The driver valiantly fought the flames with a small extinguisher, which availed him little. Within minutes, no fewer than three fire engines arrived on the scene. As bored firemen bandied about their axes and neighborhood children looked on in awe, the first engine's hose was brought to finish the job. Now, the driver is standing by his car making phone calls, looking disappointed as the fire crews roll out."

Photo by Sam Reisman