[linohh]

That's not how it works. There's the tariff union TBNE which covers almost every train in the country. I can use non DB trains without a problem (e.g. the HKX) - just not this one (and Thalys).

[dao-]

I suspect TBNE is pretty much what your parent comment meant by "...only for DB trains, and their partners like regional transport associations."

I.e. DB would only partner with regional operators on tracks where DB itself doesn't operate anymore.

[linohh]

no. it's up to locomore to join, they just don't want to. same with HKX, in the beginning they didn't want to join, eventually they did.

[gpvos]

I thought HKX was also a competitor? What changed?