Explain that you don't need help (if you don't need it) or if you do need help, phrase the request for information (how far to the next empty seat). If you need physical assistance, you can ask, but people tend to have more difficulty with that (pulling people and such). While if you get information, you can act on it. You can also add that you can get there on your own ("Thanks for the information, I can find the seat now").

Most people have good intentions, but have little experience helping those with vision loss, which can lead to difficulty. Asking a direct question gives them a clear response. Some people may still try to help (largely depends on culture).

If asked for help: just say no if you don't want it. Better they ask than grab.

As for being yelled at, what did they say exactly? I've gotten random people trying to "help" in a lot of ways, but never been yelled at by people on a bus.

Either way, these seem like well within "shit blindies have to learn to deal with", not "something special to taking a bus". If someone's an asshole to you, rebuke, educate, or ignore as befits your personality and safety, and the context at hand.

Are there classes in your area that teach orienting and the use of the white cane?

Kindly decline help if you don’t need it and if you do need it say thank you and voice your needs, as for the rude people yelling at you just stay steadfast you’re using a cane for your safety and theirs.

I have also had bad experiences using a cane on the bus. I have a little vision and can usually find my way to an empty seat myself. Unfortunately I've very often had people grab me and force me into a seat. This happens quite frequently and I wish I knew a good way to head it off. I am on the whole so glad I gave in to using a cane; I feel much more secure and confident. But for sure the biggest disadvantage is the people grabbing me all the time on the bus, in stores, on street corners, everywhere. This never used to happen to me and it's very unnerving and uncomfortable.

I think this is a confidence builder, I wrote this last week, check it out

https://youtube.com/shorts/-TMkcSI9X58?feature=share

People are so ignorant. Why would you yell at a blind person on the bus? Like was it cuz you were bumping into people or tapping them with your cane? Also why arent these people letting you sit in the front so you dont have to travel through the entire bus? This just gives me more cane anxiety honestly.