doesn’t this mean that people living in Nanaimo could have a shorter commute than those in Langley/PoCo?

Yes, and that's something people are chatting about and watching carefully. I know several people in the Abbotsford/Chilliwack area who are paying close attention and seriously considering a move if the ferry works out as claimed. They will have a considerably shorter commute into downtown Vancouver and be able to, for now, buy cheaper homes in Nanaimo.

I already moved LoL a few years ago, and am really looking forward to being able to take the ferry into downtown without the BC Ferries drama.