But this application is for a regular ride-hailing service, like Uber, albeit for an internal fleet rather than vehicles operated by customers.

Surely the operators will be classified as employees then, and ensured all of the rights that employees enjoy. Right?

Start the union now.

This is just a step for Tesla to test ride-hailing services ahead of autonomy. A nothing burger, really, since ride-hailing has obviously been solved already by several companies, Lyft, Uber, Didi, etc.

Those companies didn’t invent cabs either ffs.

Elon is fully regarded.