I had to travel to Central London today so went to my local station at around 12:30, fully expecting the hourly service to be packed and not being able to get on, and then having to get a taxi to Edgware. However, when it came, there was hardly anybody standing and seats were still available! Perhaps people got scared of the news and decided to stay put rather than travel?
It must be a 12 carriage train because at Cricklewood (which has short platform), the doors in the last few carriages did not open. Anyway I am sure that all the people can comfortably fit into 8 carriages, or even squeeze into 4.
Thameslink seems to be making the best out of a bad situation (manage expectations, and then put on a long train to carry as many as possible).
I am pleased to say that services since new year have improved compared to end of last year - I was only delayed for >15 minutes on 2 occasions. Last November, I remember being severely at least twice a week on average.
Also, I am slightly surprised that they are having problems with staffing level at this time of year. Credit card statements are starting to arrive after the Christmas period, and I would think many people would want to work overtime to get some extra money? I certainly would, if my job paid overtime!
Anyway, this thread seems to have drifted away from the original topic! I think the government will never take over the franchise as they currently have a very convenient scapegoat to blame whenever something goes wrong.