Alternatives to Deutsche Bahn!?

As a matter of fact, the only train system we have in Germany is way too expensive!  What is worse, DB is free to increase prices even further year by year, as it enjoys a monopolistic position in Germany. They are free to do so, because  the market is simply not liberalized yet.
This issue has recently been discussed in the media again, as DB sued a start-up business called “DeinBus”, based on a law back from the 1930s. To the annoyance of DB, the lawsuit failed and the start up can continue to operate. Deutsche Bahn feels further  pressured by the legislature which aims for a soon liberalization of the market, setting it high on the Agenda  2011.
Obviously, the mobility group fears the loss of profits and market share. In a recent interview, the CEO of DB Mobility Logistics AG, Ulrich Homburg claimed that the upcoming liberalization of the remote bus market presents a significant risk for the core business of DB.

Unsurprisingly, many people find themselves turning their back on the train company and look for alternatives instead.  What are the alternatives so far?