```ts
export function routeStops(route: string): string[] {
  if (!route) return [];
  
  const stops = route.split('>').map(stop =>
    stop.trim()
  );
  
  return stops;
}

export function routeHops(route: string): number {
  const stops = routeStops(route);
  
  if (stops.length === 0) return 0;
  
  return stops.length - 1;
}
```