LRVs run at an average of 27km/h, slightly slower than subways which average 32 km/h. They are faster than buses and streetcars that travel in mixed traffic (17 km/h). LRVs run at speeds similar to subways when they are underground (as much of the Eglinton LRT line will be)

The main reason for the speed difference between subways and LRT is that LRVs have more stops. Subway stations are more expensive to build, so fewer stops are built with longer distances between them.