Who, in a million years, ever thought that the ridesharing idea would fly? You’re going to pay total strangers to drive you around in their own cars? Really now?

Well, yes. Services like Lyft and Uber may have decimated the taxi industry and clogged big-city streets with cars. But they also allow millions of drivers to work on their own schedules, permit millions of riders to save money, keep a lot of drunken drivers from taking the wheel, free up a lot of parking spaces, and give just about everyone an endless source of conversation starters.

Still, there are challenges for both riders and drivers: Finding each other, communicating with each other, coexisting with each other. That’s why, in the previous episode of “Crowdwise,” I invited you to share your tips for improving the ridesharing experience. Here’s what you came up with.

Better ways to summon your ride

Most people begin by opening the corresponding app (Lyft or Uber, for example). But Phoebe Mortensen noted that you can save time and money by starting in other apps.

Google Maps: On the Directions tab, where you see options like driving, public transport and walking, tap the ride-sharing icon: the microscopic man holding up his infinitesimal arm. “At that point, Google Maps shows you price and waiting-time comparisons of Lyft and Uber — information you can’t get in their own apps,” wrote Ms. Mortensen. Once you’ve chosen the service you want, hit Open App to complete the transaction.

Apple Siri/Google Assistant: On your phone, you can say, for example, “Hey Siri, get me a ride to 200 West 79th Street with Lyft” or “Hey Google, book an Uber to JFK Airport.” You’re asked to specify the details. Speaking your destination is always less finicky than typing it on glass.

Amazon Alexa/Google Home: If you have an Amazon Echo smart speaker, you can say “Alexa, ask Lyft to call a ride” or “Alexa, ask Uber to request a ride.” If your robo-assistant speaks Google instead, say “O.K. Google” instead of “Alexa.”

Pickups

Summoning a ride is easy. Finding your driver can be substantially trickier.