Mason City, IA- Making a trip to the hospital in an ambulance just got a little more expensive in Mason City. Tuesday night the city council approved to increase fees.

It's now going to cost more for advanced life support received in the ambulance. Mileage fees are also going up to compensate for high fuel prices. The costs of running an ambulance are not paid for with tax dollars.

Fire Chief Bob Platts says they are now using new equipment and procedures to further help patients.  

"It's those costs we're trying to cover so we can continue to offer them," said Platts.

Platts says they increase ambulance fees just about every year to make up for rising costs.